6501John Adams to Baron Franz von Reischach, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of your obliging Favour of this Days Date, and I beg of you to accept of my Thanks for your prompt and polite Answer to mine of this Morning. It was the House of Wilhem and Jan Willink of Amsterdam who sent off this Express for me and I am not certain of his Name, but I believe it is Egberts. It is only within a few Days that he was arrested. He may have a...
6502From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 31 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have yours of the 22d. before me—your Law Grammar is undoubtedly a useful Book—In my time, we had none but Noyes’s rude Sketch, and Lord Hales improvement upon that,—from seventeen hundred and fifty five—to seventeen hundred and fifty Eight—I lived in the family of Coll, James Putnam of Worcester, and Studied Law under his direction, in his Office—He advised me to begin with Hawkins...
6503From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 August 1803 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of July 17th. on Saturday. I received and read with pleasure your Essay on the use of Copper among the Greeks and inclosed it immediately by the Post, to Mr Bordley of Philadelphia as you directed. The Remarks on Jefferson and Buffon I presented with my own hand to the Accademy at their last Meeting, which was in May. It was referred to the Committee, to whose...
6504John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
“A Court,” as John Dryden informed me, before Experience, “is a place of forgetfulness for well deservers. It is infectious even to the best Morals to live always in it. It is a dangerous Commerce where an honest Man is sure at the first of being cheated; and he recovers not his losses, but by learning to cheat others. The undermining Smile becomes at length habitual; and the drift of his...
6505To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 24 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honour to write me on the thirteenth is recieved, and I have accordingly accepted the Bills, and shall draw upon your Excellency about the Time they become payable, for Money, to enable me to discharge them, provided I should not succeed in my Endeavours to borrow it here. I...
6506John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Weather continues, as hot as ever. Upon my Word I dont know how to sustain it. Oh for a Bowl of your Punch, a Bottle of your Cyder, or something or other that is acid. I am obliged to have recourse to the Liquor of the Roman soldiers and put about a Wine Glass of Vinegar into a Pint of Water. You would laugh to see me pouring down a Pint of this Vinegar and Water at a Time, and admiring it...
6507From John Adams to Hendrik Fagel, 25 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me, the honour to write me, on the eighteenth of October instant, and am extreamly Sorry to learn, that the Conduct of M r Dumas has not the Approbation of their High Mightinesses. As M r Dumas has not that I recollect, been employed in any Business by me, Since my Residence in England and as he has neither given me any Account of his Proceedings, nor...
6508From John Adams to Henry Clay, 21 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
The President requests that all resolutions from either House of Congress, as soon as acted upon by the Departments may be returned to him. Will you send me that which I sent to the Department confirming the appointment of Mr Conkling of N–Y— Your’s &c DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
6509From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 June 1807 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is the Certificate of forty Shares in the Fire and Marine Insurance Company. The third part of the Capital which is to be paid off, you will please to receive in shares of the Boston Bank, if you approve of it, and hold them as you propose. I am your affectionate / Father MHi : Winthrop Family Papers.
6510From John Adams to Jean Luzac, 13 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your friendly Letter of the 10th of this month. The new Translation of the american Constitutions, into the Dutch Language, I have not yet Seen, but intend to embrace the first opportunity of Sending Some Copies of it, to be placed in the principal publick Libraries in America, and the more willingly for the Dedication of it to Mr Vanberckel, a Gentleman whose great merit and...
6511From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 3 January 1775 (Adams Papers)
I remember, that Bishop Burnet in a Letter he once wrote to Lady Rachell Russell the virtuous Daughter of the great Southampton, and unfortunate Wife of Lord Russell who died a Martyr to English Liberties, Says “Madam I never attempt to write to you but my Pen conscious of its Inferiority falls out of my Hand.” The polite Prelate did not write to that excellent Lady in so bold a figure with...
6512John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 5 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am here, happily Settled with my Family and I feel more at home, than I have ever done in Europe. I have not time to enlarge, as Mr. Tracy who takes this, is upon his Return to London. The Pasture you mention, rocky and bushy as it is, I should be glad to purchase, and if you can, I wish you to buy it for me and draw upon me for the Money, and if you know of any Salt Marsh or Woodland to be...
6513From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 7 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bowdoin, a gentleman of Virginia, is passing through Brussells in his Way to France. He is a young American of good Character here, and I have the honour to recommend him to your Notice. Pray what think you, of the Face of affairs? According to present Appearances a year or two more, will probably deliver our country from the Ennemies within it, tho it may not bring Peace. The K. of...
6514From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 90, 7 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 7 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 173–176). LbC with postscript in Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “Nos. 89 & 90 delivered to Mr. Gridley going to Amsterdam. July 8th. 1780.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States ,...
65151780. July 30. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Cathedral Church. A great Feast. An infinite Crowd. The Church more splendidly ornamented than any that I had seen. Hung with Tapestrie. The Church Music here is in the Italian style. A Picture in Tapestry was hung up, of a No. of Jews stabbing the Wafer, the bon Dieu, and blood gushing in streams, from the B read . This insufferable Piece of pious Villany, shocked me beyond...
6516January. 13. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Oswald came to take Leave and shewed me a Letter from the Secretary of State for him to come home. He goes off, on Wednesday. I told him if he was going home, I would communicate to him, what I had not intended. I told him what I told Yesterday to Vaughan and gave him some short Account of my Correspondence with the C. de Vergennes, upon the Question whether I should communicate to Lord G....
6517From John Adams to Joseph Palmer, 20 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I had the Pleasure of yours of Jany. 28. I am rejoiced to hear of the Measures taken by our state to raise their Battalions and to tax an hundred Thousand Pounds. Congress have been upon the subject of regulating the Prices of Labour and Provisions. I shall inclose you, what they have done. Are not these mere temporary Expedients and palliative Remedies. We must aim at a radical...
6518From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you the papers inclosed in your letter of the 24th. My knowledge of the Spanish language is not sufficient to give me much confidence that I understand the letters. We must wait for further information I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
6519[January 1783] (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, made my Visit and Compliments of the Season to M. Le C. de Vergennes and delivered him a Copy of our Treaty and Convention with the States General. He received me with Politeness, made me the Compliments of the Season, tres sincerement, and was sensibly obliged to me for the Copies and invited me to dine. I went to see the Ceremony of the Knights of the St. Esprit, in the...
6520From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 9 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
You have very much obliged me, by the Act and the Bill. It is to the last degree Astonishing to see, that perfect Ignorance, of the United States of America, which still prevails in old England. They willfully Shut their Eyes, that they may be Sure not to See. My Bowells of Compassion begin to be moved for this blind, debauched, devoted old Woman Britannia. Is there no possibility of reforming...
6521[Fryday March 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 22. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Declaration brought in by the Committee, and after debate, the further Consideration of it, at the request of a Colony was postponed till tomorrow.
6522From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 13 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to acknowledge that I received your kind Letter, in due time, and have not answered it before: My apology is that I was on the Point of Setting out for Brest when I received it and have been travelling ever since. I am much obliged to you for the Letter and very happy to find that one Gentleman is to be found in France whose sentiments will give some Countenance to my own. I have...
652326. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
At half after two, We mounted our Carriages and Mules, and rode four Leagues to Betanzos, the ancient Capital of the Kingdom of Gallicia, and the Place where the Archives are still kept. We saw the Building, a long Square stone Building without any Roof, opposite the Church. There are in this Place two Churches and two Convents. The last League of the Road was very bad, mountainous and rocky...
6524To Alexander Hamilton from John Adams, 9 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honor to write me this morning and as the Secretary of State accidentally fell in before I had opportunity to answer it, we agreed to propose a meeting at his House at two o’Clock on Monday next. If that time and place are agreeable to you, and the Secretary at War, they will be particularly so to me who have the honor to be with great regard, Sir your...
6525[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1775. Octr. 30th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Ross. We cant get Seamen to man 4 Vessells. We could not get Seamen to mann our Boats, our Gallies. Wythe, Nelson , and Lee for fitting out 4 Ships. From D/JA/25, which then has a gap until 24 Jan. 1776. The present fragment is from a debate on resolutions, agreed to this day, to fit out four armed vessels for Continental service. Another resolution added JA to the committee to execute this...
6526From John Adams to United States Senate, 16 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Certain matters touching the public good, requiring that the session of the Senate, for Executive business, should be continued, and that the members thereof should convene on Tuesday, the 17th day fo July, inst., you are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber, in Philadelphia, on that day, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, then and there to receive and deliberate on such communications as...
6527From John Adams to Thomas Welsh, 19 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letter. The Elections in Massachusetts have done honour to the Principles and Dispositions of the People. The Error of my old Friend is no surprise to me, for although I knew his the Abhorence of Jarvis in his heart, I have lately seen his Versatility in so many Instances, that his Character, always Subtle fine and and Slippery, is now become lubricated to a degree...
6528From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 1 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have lately written to Congress, An Account of the Sentiments and Conduct of the Lords of the Admiralty, upon Captain Stanhopes Letters, which will no doubt be transmitted to you from N. York. It consists in Substance in the Signification to Capt. Stanhope of the “Sensible Displeasure” of their Lordships, and in his Recall from the American Station. In a late Visit to the Hide a Country Seat...
6529From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a letter from McNeil of August 1st & 3d with two inclosures. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
6530From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 23 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 15th is alarming. Remember the fate of Cassandra. The prophet of ill ’tho’ as true as a goose’s bow is always detested. I also have been now and then reckoned among the minor prophets. Not a bone of any Goose ever picked by Jo Green, Nick Boylston, & Master Lovel on a Christmas eve, tho’ they had Nat Gardner for a guest, and exhausted all their wit, Gibes, & Jokes upon it, ever...
6531From John Adams to Richard Rush, 15 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
In the middle of a Letter to Petersbourg this Morning Mrs Adams came in and invited me to take a ride, in the beautiful Sleighing We have at this moment, to last perhaps two days like two Such Opportunities as We have had before this Winter and then be melted away; We took the Post office in our Course, and there I found your beautiful Letter of the 4th of this month, on my return I continued...
65321771. Jany. 10. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at the Honble. John Ervings, with Gray, Pitts, Hancock, Adams, Townsend, J. Erving Jur., G. Erving, Boardman. We had over the Nominations of Nat. Hatch to be Judge of the common Pleas, and Ed. Quincy to be a Justice of the Quorum, and H. Grays Story of a Letter from a repentant Whigg to him. H. Gray. “The general Court is a good School for such Conversation as this”—i.e. double Entendre,...
6533To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams: Two Letters, 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : Reprinted from Stan V. Henkels sales catalogue no. 1415 (May 22, 1928), p. 8. I have this moment the Honour of your Letter of the twentyeth of this Month and it is, as cold Water to a thirsty Soul. I have been busily employed in making Enquiries, in forming Acquaintances and in taking Advice.— In hopes of Mr Laurens’s Arrival, and wishing...
6534To John Jay from John Adams, 31 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 20 th your letter to M r Duane comprehends every thing necessary to be said upon this occasion, and I presume will remove all difficulties— I congratulate you on the firmness of your nerves fully demonstrated by your hand writing, the beauty and firmness of which is equal to the best of your former days Mine are so debilitated that I can neither write— or...
6535From John Adams to United States Senate, 30 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Thomas Martin of New Hampshire to be Collector for the District of Portsmouth in New Hampshire in the Place of Joseph Whipple Samuel Adams to be Surveyor and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Portsmouth in the place of Thomas Martin nominated to be Collector John Pierce to be Commissioner of Loans for the State of New Hampshire in the place of William Gardner. Thomas Perkins...
6536[1758] (Adams Papers)
In 1758 my Period with Mr. Putnam expired. Doolittle and Baldwin visited me in the office, and invited me to settle in Worcester. They said as there were two Sides to a question and two Lawyers were always wanted where there was one, I might depend upon Business in my profession, they were pleased to add that my Character was fair and well esteemed by all Sorts of People in the Town and...
6537From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 19 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
The greatest part of the History in your last Letter was well known to me, and I could write you Six Sheets for your three, full of Anecdotes, of a Similar complexion. I wanted no Satisfaction. If I had, your Letter would have given it. The great Character, was a Character of Convention . His first Appointment was a magnanimous Sacrifice of the North to the South: to the base Jealousy, Sordid...
6538Committee Report on Abraham Clark’s Motion, 27 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Resolved That General Washington’s Proclamation of the Day of does not interfere with the Laws or civil Government of any State: but considering the Situation of the Army was prudent and necessary. MS in JA ’s hand ( PCC , No. 36, I, f. 5); docketed: “brot. in 27 Feby. 1777 ordered to lie.” The spaces for the day and the month are left blank. Dated 25 Jan., the proclamation, in an effort to...
6539From John Adams to James McHenry, 21 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the duplicate talk signed & congratulate you on your recovery. I am Sir your most humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
6540From John Adams to James Lovell, 19 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is unhappy that So many People in America, should perswade themselves that the Ennemy intend to evacuate New York and Rhode Island. This opinion cannot fail to damp their Ardour, and Slacken their Nerves. But you may depend upon it, they mean no such Thing. On the Contrary it is their unalterable Resolution, to maintain the Possession of both, as long as they can. Indeed either without the...
6541From John Adams to Richard Rush, 25 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 29th of September has not been answered by me as it ought to have been. Your Excursion Horseback gave me high hopes; and excited vain Recollections. Dean Swift bragged; and why Should not I.? Swift crowed over Pope Arbuthnot &c and boasted that he could ride 500 miles upon a trotting Horse. In 1777 I rode on Horseback from Penn’s Hill in this Town to Baltimore, more than 500...
6542John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Have only Time to send by this Opportunity a Token of Remembrance. The Fast was observed here with a Decorum and solemnity, never before seen ever on a Sabbath. The Clergy of all Denominations, here preach Politicks and War in a manner that I never heard in N. England. They are a Flame of Fire. It is astonishing to me, that the People are so cool here. Such sermons in our Country would have a...
6543From John Adams to United States Senate, 6 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Joseph Pitcairn of New York, to be Consul of the United States, at Hamburgh in the Place of Samuel Williams removed to London. John Church to be Consul of the United States at Cork in the Kingdom of Ireland DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
6544From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with yours of 27. Dec r. and am obliged to you for what you Said to the Count De Vergennes in the Case of the Chevalier De Mezieres.— You may always very Safely depend upon it, that I never have given and never shall give any Opinion against the Letter or Spirit of the Treaty with France. In this Case I have never given any Opinion at all. indeed I have never been consulted. The...
6545Decr. 31. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Galliego to Sebrero, Seven Leagues. The Journey Yesterday and to day has been very agreable. The Weather, remarkably fair, and dry, and the Roads not so bad as We expected. There is the grandest Profusion of wild irregular Mountains, that I ever saw—Yet laboured and cultivated every one, to its Summit. The Fields of Grain, are all green. We passed a Rang of Mountains that were white...
6546From John Adams to James Madison, 2 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am very apprehensive that the liberties I so frequently take of writing to you will appear importunate if not impertinent But I beg it may be fully understood that none of my letters are to be answered; and that I shall perfectly acquiesce in your decisions well knowing the multiplicity of Candidates, the difficulty of making the selections & that the President is the only ultimate and...
6547From John Adams to John Adams, 2 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for two letters written at two notable periods of your life one at the happy meeting of your family at Providence and New York, the other at Washington all in health written with the vivacity, and spirit for which you are so remarkable. They gave me and the whole family a great deal of pleasure and excite an appetite for your account of the first part of your journey. We have...
6548From John Adams to James McHenry, 19 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I agree with you, in your opinion expressed in your favour of the 12th, that both an Army and Navy Establishment is essential to the present and future Interests & Greatness of the United States and that We must run the Risks which other Nations have run. It appeared to me that Offices were created and salaries made necessary in the Plan for supplying the Army, which would require the...
6549From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 26 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter to me from Mr. Gerry I received last night, and pray you to have it inserted in a public Print. It will satisfy him and do no harm to any one. It explains some circumstances advantageously. He came to me, upon the Publication of your answer to the Address, and seemed uneasy at some expressions in it. I read him the extract of General Marshalls Letter to you, which was in...
6550From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 25 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
As Mr Wirt has filled my head with James Otis; and as I am well informed that The Honourable Mr Benjamin Austin alias Honestus alias Old South alias Old North alias Politicastor roundly asserts that Mr “Otis had no Patriotism”; and that “he acted only from Revenge of his Fathers disapointment of a Seat on the Superior Bench” I will tell you a Story which may make you laugh, if it should not...