2261To John Adams from William Gordon, 10 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
From what D r Holten writes me in his of the 16 th ult I suspect You will be upon your passage home: however there is a chance of the contrary, therefore venture sending by the present conveyance from Providence to London. You are to have other letters from Braintree &c &c by the same channel; & yet this possibly may be first rec d , for which reason I mention your family & friends being well;...
2262To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 19 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received the Honour of yours, with an Account of the Bills you have to pay. I have accepted your Drafts for 77,000 Crowns, at 15 Days Date. The Shortness of the Term is inconvenient; and as our Money comes to hand by Degrees, and these unexpected Demands from Holland and Spain oblige me to anticipate our Funds, for which Anticipation I pay an Interest of five Per Cent, I wish you would for...
2263Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I was greatly rejoiced at the return of your servant to find you had safely arrived, and that you were well. I had never heard a word from you after you left New york, and a most ridiciolous story had been industerously propagated in this and the neighbouring Towns to injure the cause and blast your Reputation, viz. that you and your President had gone on board a Man of War from N–y and saild...
2264To John Adams from William Lee, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you the 28th. but omitted answering your Quere about the Southern States determining to embody Ne groes as an Army. I never heard of such an Idea but in the letter forged, as from Genl. Clinton, nor do I immagine such a one will ever be entertain’d seriously in those States, for exclusive of many reasons against it that appear unanswerable, those who know the...
2265To John Adams from William Tudor, 11 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I seize a few Minutes before the Post sets out to send You a little Information. Manley took two Prizes last Saturday, a large Ship of more than 300 Tons with a Cargo of Coals (chiefly) a large Quantity of Porter, some Wine and 40 live Hogs—destin’d for the beseiged Troops at Boston. The Captain found Means to throw overboard every material Letter. The other Capture was a large Brig from...
2266To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 21 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Although we are exceedingly pressd with publick Business at this Juncture, I cannot omit the Opportunity that now offers of writing to you. The general Scituation of Affairs, and the particular Transactions between the British Commissioners and the Congress will be transmited to you by this Conveyance, by the Committee for foreign Affairs. Since I last came to this Place from Boston, several...
2267To John Adams from Jacobus & Jan Anthony Murray, 16 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
Il y a deja bien de tems, que nous souhaitions de trouver une occasion de feliciter Votre Exellence, avec l’heureuse & Rapide Revolution de l’Amerique, dans la quelle Votre Exellence a eu un si grand part, & qui vient de finir avec tant de gloire pour votre Patrie, & pour vous meme, nous la souhaitons avec d’autant plus d’empressement parce que Votre Exellence, durant sa residence dans cette...
2268To John Adams from Joseph Hawley, 18 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of the 25th of Novr. as soon as I arrived at this town which was last friday and a very kind and generous return I esteem it to the few lines I sent you from Brookfield. I hope the lines will not be Abandoned. I hope an Army will be inlisted for the Next year before the Spring Advances but am clearly of Opinion that the Charge of Marching in the Militia their equipment...
2269To John Adams from Francis Dana, 23 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I see with infinite satisfaction the progress our affairs have made in Holland within a short time, and that you will soon be able to pu t the finishing hand to your business. No one can more sincerely rejoice in t he honour you will merit and acquire by it, than I shall. That Nation, after much internal struggling, seems at last to have adopted an almost universal sentiment upon the...
2270To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 7 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a long letter of the 30th. Decr. 1780 to which I have not yet receivd any answer. But I cannot help writing a line to you by this opportunity, as well to congratulate you on the success of your negociations in Holland as to mention to you what I think may be of material concern to you; that the present minister for foreign affairs is as devoted a partizan of Count de Vergennes and...
2271To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 2 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am much honored by the open and Confidential Manner, in which you have written to me; in return to which, I must assure you, that I heartily Concur with You in your Sentiments of the Necessity of the french Courts holding a Most liberal and neutral Conduct, and that it will do so, I look upon the New Appointment, to be an Earnest. I am to have the Honour of meeting the Gentleman, who is...
2272Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
This is the 15 of June. Tomorrow our new Edition of the Regulating act takes place, and will I fear add wrath to Bitterness. No arguments which were urgd could prevail upon the court to repeal it. A committee in this Town is chosen to see it inforced, and I suppose in other Towns. I am surprizd that when the ill Effects of it are so visible, and the spirit of opposition to it so general and...
2273Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have not been composed enough to write you since Last Sabbeth when in the bitterness of my soul, I wrote a few confused lines, since which time it has pleased the great disposer of all Events to add Breach to Breach— “Rare are solitary woes, they Love a Train And tread each others heal.” The day week that I was call’d to attend a dying parents Bed I was again call’d to mourn the loss of one...
2274To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 6 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
I did Myself the pleasure of writing to You by the Secretary of the Count de la Luzerne, inclosing a Letter to Genl. Gates and sending a Remembrancer. I was in Hopes of sending to You by the same Opportunity 4 Parliamentary Registers containing the Papers, which have passed between the Howes Burgoyne and the Ministry, but having lent them to Mr. Genet coud not get them back with time Enough to...
2275Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have no doubt but that my dearest Friend is anxious to know how his Portia does, and his little flock of children under the opperation of a disease once so formidable. I have the pleasure to tell him that they are all comfortable tho some of them complaining. Nabby has been very ill, but the Eruption begins to make its appearence upon her, and upon Johnny. Tommy is so well that the Dr....
2276Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
The family are all retired to rest, the Busy scenes of the day are over, a day which I wished to have devoted in a particular manner to my dearest Friend, but company falling in prevented nor could I claim a moment untill this silent watch of the Night. Look—(is there a dearer Name than Friend; think of it for me;) Look to the date of this Letter—and tell me, what are the thoughts which arise...
2277Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have just retird to my Chamber, but an impulce seazes me to write you a few lines before I close my Eye’s. Here I often come and sit myself down alone to think of my absent Friend, to ruminate over past scenes, to read over Letters, journals &c. Tis a melancholy kind of pleasure I find in this amusement, whilst the weighty cares of state scarcly leave room for a tender recollection or...
2278To John Adams from Herman Heyman’s Sons, 22 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
It is with the greatest Satisfaction that we Obser. by the Publik papers the Declaration of Independence from Great Brittan to the United States, a Situation which we have heartely wished to the Latter for many years past, and by which means our Country will be now abel to enter in the most Friendly & Advantageous Alliance with the same. To Convince the United States from our Wishes to accept...
2279To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 17 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer, and my Letter to Mr. Hancock will acquaint you that I am no Dictator here, and consequently have it not in my power to serve Mr. Rice. I desire if Chase is return’d to Congress, he may know, how much I have been Deceived, and Disappointed in being removed from a place where I might have done the Publick Service, and Fix’d in a Scituation where it is exceeding Doubtfull, if it will...
2280To John Adams from William Heath, 20 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I must ask your Pardon for having repeatedly received your favors Since I have been in the Army, without returning you an Acknowledgement of them. From the opinion which I have long had of your abilities and Patriotism, I have wished for an Intimate Acquaintance with you, And Shall ever Consider it as a great Honor to Correspond with you. In your last to me of the 15th. of April you were...
2281To John Adams from Daniel Hitchcock, 9 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Received, another of your kind Favours on Monday last, for which I thank You, the Demands of my Regiment from the hourly Expectation of an Attack upon the Island of New York, gives Me only Time to say, that this Country is ondone, if a sufficient Bounty is not given to raise a Standing Army; ten Pounds N England Currency must at all Events be given, or Men will not be obtained. The Militia are...
2282To John Adams from James Warren, 19 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had fixed a determination in my own mind to omitt no Oppertunity of writeing either to you, or my Friend Mr. S. Adams, but I have Indeed so little to say at this time, that I should have thought it hardly worth while to trouble you with a Letter had it not been to Inclose one from Mrs. Adams, who with the Children I had the pleasure Yesterday to hear were recovered. I have been much...
2283Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
How dear to me was the Signature of my Friend this Evening received by the Boston a ship more valued to me than all the American Navy besides, valuable for conveying safely my choisest comfort, my dearest Blessings. “I Love the place where Helen was but born.” You write me that you have by several vessels convey’d me tokens of your Friendship. The only Letters I have received from you or my...
2284To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 2 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have just receivd your favor of the 26th of May in answer to mine of the 24th. You must not expect me to be a very exact correspondent, my circumstances will not always admit of it. When I have opportunity I will write you with freedom if any information I can give you should be of service I shall be amply paid. I know your time is too precious to be spent in Answering Letters; but a line...
2285To John Adams from Alexander McDougall, 5 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
While you are anxiously engaged to preserve the rights of your Country, I cannot entertain the least doubt, but you will readily excuse this address, when I assure you, I am induced to it, from a Sincere desire to promote the common cause of America in this City. The Delegates of this Colony who are in Trade, can inform you, I have no private interest, in the Subject on which I now Sollicit...
2286To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Upon the Public Affairs of the Country we all have a Right to speak freely and censure where we think there’s Misconduct; to ramble into the Field of Conjecture when we are disposed for it; in Short to turn Politicians if we please. You know from early Life I never Spard Men nor Measures and made Use of my Right to Censure very freely therefore you won’t be Surprized if I tell you I am out of...
2287To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 8 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you most sincerely on your safe return to your family and your country. I hope you found the former in good health, and the latter I am very sensible will be at all times benefitted by the assistance of so able a Citizen, and the more especially at this time, when the most important of all sublunary things is under consideration, the establishing of government. Independent of...
2288Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favours of May 14th and June 16th came to Hand last Evening; and tho I have only just time to acknowledge them, I would not omit a few lines; I have written before by this vessel; which is Bound to France. Mr. Allen your old fellow traveller is a passenger on Board, and promises to be attentive to the Letters. In my other Letter I mention a serious proposal made in a former; but do...
2289To John Adams from Henry Grand, 15 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
Messieurs Willem & Jan Willinck Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst & De La Lande & Fynje en me remettant Quatre cens mille Livres m’en faisoient espèrer autant, mais par une Suivante ces Espérances Se Sont évanouies: Je n’ai pas cru, Monsieur, devoir insister, mais seulement me borner à leur représenter que la privation de ces fonds pourroit gêner les opérations de Monsieur Morris.— En effet, j’ai...
2290To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 15 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to your Excellency, and sending several inclosures by the last Post. I send herewith another, which ought to have preceeded in publication one, which your Excellency has received. I suppose M r Hartly is or will be soon, with you. He says He shall settle matters at Paris in a little while. and M r Fox has said the same thing. the Bill which the Latter...
2291Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
You will wonder I suppose to what part of the world all the Letters you have written since the 25 of Sepbr. are gone, that not a line of a later date has reachd me, even up to this 23 day of April. My Heart sickens at the recollection, and I most sensibly feel the sacrifice of my happiness from the Malignant Union of Mars with Belona. My two dear Boys cannot immagine how ardently I long to...
2292To John Adams from James Lovell, 21 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
France appears to be most perfectly satisfied with the present mediators yet presses us for an Arrangement final of the most moderate terms. Franklin, Jay, H. Laurence and Jefferson are added to you . You would be made very happy by such an Event being grounded on a Desire to alleviate the Distress of a great discretion but blush blush America consult and ultimately concur in everything with...
2293Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
Six Months have already elapsed since I heard a syllable from you or my dear Son, and five since I have had one single opportunity of conveying a line to you. Letters of various dates have lain months at the Navy Board, and a packet and Frigate both ready to sail at an hours warning have been months waiting the orders of Congress. They no doubt have their reasons, or ought to have for...
2294The Comte de Vergennes to John Adams: A Translation, 21 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received, sir, the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 16th of this month, and also the extract of the letter addressed to you from Boston, dated 26 April. From this it appears that the assembly of Massachusetts has determined to adopt Congress’ resolution fixing the value of the paper money at 40 dollars for one dollar in specie. On reading that resolution I was persuaded...
2295Jean Luzac to John Adams: A Translation, 14 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have finished reading the pamphlet, about which you asked my opinion. The style is excellent and it is only in the first eight or ten pages that I found some obvious, but easily correctable errors in language. As to content, it is well reasoned and, although the author’s vivid imagination may have led him to exaggerate somewhat the consequences of the American Revolution, I am nevertheless...
2296To John Adams from Engelbert François van Berckel, 8 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai le plaisir et l’honneúr, de Voús commúniqúer, qúe les Depútez de la Ville d’Amsterdam a l’assemblée des Etats d’hollande Vont recevoir, demain, la Resolútion dú Conseil de la ditte Ville, prise aújourd’huÿ, aú sújet dú Traité d’amitié et de Commerce, entre Leúrs Haútes Púissances, et les Etats Unis en Ameriqúe. Cette Resolution dú conseil contient les ordres les plús precises, poúr se...
2297To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 10 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
When some months past I desired a Copy of the Collection of American Constitutions, it was for the use of a Gentleman of Letters, actually employed in translating the several Acts of American Legislation, but who knew no other Collection of those Acts than a French translation printed at Paris. I wished then to keep for myself and clean the Copy, Your Excellency had made me a present of, as a...
2298To John Adams from William Tudor, 12 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
We had a Court Martial set at Chatham last Week for the Trial of a Colo. Buckner of the 6th. Virginia Battalion in the Continental Service, accused of Misbehaviour and Cowardice. The Court after a hearing of two Days found him guilty “of misbehaving before the Enemy, and of deserting his Post and Party in Time of Action.” And sentenced him to be cashiered, and rendered incapable of ever...
2299To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 15 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I Cannot but think myself a sufferer by the Many Captures on American Navigation, for as you are undoubtedly a Gentleman of the strictest Veracity, I must suppose the Watery Damsels that Attend the ouzy Board of the Grey Headed Neptune, are much more Fortunate than the Woodland Dames of America. Otherways, Notwithstanding the Bussy and important scenes in which You are ingaged a folio from the...
2300From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 24 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress By the enclosed Letter from M. De Sartine expressing his Majestys Desire that the Alliance should be retained here a little longer, you will see that I am under a kind of Necessity of disappointing you in your Intentions of making your Passage immediately in that Vessel; which would be more unpleasing to me but for these...
2301To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 5 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
When I was Advised of your Arrival at Corunia I had the Pleasing hopes that Your Destination Was the Court of Madrid and Accordingly porposed myself the happiness of Paying you my devoirs there in the month of Aprile. I Also Presumed on taking the Liberty of Writing My Banker in that City Messr. Peter Casamayor & Co. to Make you a Tender of their Services in my Behalf, and to Supply you with...
2302To John Adams from Jacques Felix & Fils, 21 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Quioque Je n’aïe Eu qu’une Seule fois L’honneur de Rencontrer votre Exelence chés Monsieur Luzac (Redacteur de La Gazette françoise de cette ville), que j’ay celui davoir pour ami depuis 38 ans. Je prie votre Exelence d’avoir pour agreable que je prene La Lib erté de Vous adresser La presente pour Temoigner a Votre Ex: La Satisfaction particuliere que Jai Ressentie come Habitant Né a...
2303Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have this afternoon had the pleasure of receiving your Letter by your Friends Mr. Collins and Kaighn and an English Gentle man his Name I do not remember. It was next to seeing my dearest Friend. Mr. Collins could tell me more perticuliarly about you and your Health than I have been able to hear since you left me. I rejoice in his account of your better Health, and of your spirits, tho he...
2304Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 13 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
Itt is sometime since any of your friends have had a line from you though many Vessells have Arrived from France by which conveyance they have been expecting letters from you. There has been Three frigates with money, some for the Congress, and Cloathing. The Marquis Lafaett that had a quantity of Cloathing is supposd to have founderd. We have been very much troubeld on Our Eastern Coast and...
2305From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12[–16] October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 4th. Instant. I have never known a Peace made, even the most advantageous, that was not censured as inadequate, and the Makers condemn’d as injudicious or corrupt. Blessed are the Peacemakers , is I suppose to be understood in the other World: for in this they are more frequently...
2306To John Adams from James Warren, 11 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you several days ago, and wrote in a hurry, Expecting the Generals Express would be along before I could finish, but he has been detained, and am told will be on his Journey this Morning. I was much Chagrined Last Evening when setting under a Tree by the Bridge Fessenden rode up from Philadelphia without a Single Letter for me. He says you Complain that you have no Letters. I have...
2307To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 18 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I sit down to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellencys two Letters; one by the Post this day and the other by the preceding Mail. The New periodical Work, which I received this day is exceedingly well written and will I doubt not by your Excellencys Assistance and direction be soon turned to the Essential Service of our Country. L’Avocat Calkoens Defence of the Magistrates of Amsterdam is...
2308To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 22 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I write to you in Hast and Confidence—and beg you to conceal me when I speak with Freedom of Men and Things. After many Reports that Burgoyne and his Army were Prisoners of War, we have this Day receiv’d the Articles agreed on between him and our General. Perhaps I may be mistaken, but my Joy is damp’d by the Concessions G ates has made, considering how totally Burgoyne was in our Power. He...
2309François Adriaan Van der Kemp to John Adams: A Translation, 5 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having received several expressions of your Excellency’s friendship and esteem during your stay in Leyden, I flatter myself now that it will not be disagreeable for you to receive proof of my confidence in our friendship. It is a solicitation sir! I hope that it will not appear to you to be rash, because it is made by a friend; a man of talent, with profound and erudite judgment, and with the...
2310To John Adams from James Warren, 19 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Haveing Already wrote you pretty largely by Capt. Samson, this is only to Inform you that two days ago Arrived here one Mr. Mitchel with a Load of English Goods from London. This seems to be a prevailing and Encreasing Object of Commerce. One Arrived in the Spring. Little Notice was taken of it. Four More Vessels are said to be on their way here. It is certain there is one and Mr. Duncan is in...