3251John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Let me request of you, to turn your Attention as soon as possible to the Subject of a Treaty of Commerce between the United States of America and Great Britain, and transmit to me, a Project that you would advise me to propose in the first Instance. For my own Part I like the Plan agreed on with Prussia so well, that I must request you to send me a Copy of it, and with such Changes as you may...
3252From John Adams to Tristram Dalton, 26 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Jan: 23. like all your other Letters, contains valuable information & judicious reflections— The time is now come, when the affairs of the United states must take a turn for the better or become much worse— The Impost I presume is granted to Congress by this time. I only wish it were 20 p r. Cent instead of 5— indeed if 40. were necessary, to pay the Compleat interest of the...
3253From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
All the Literary Gentlemen of this part of the Country have an Ambitious Curiosity to see the Philosopher and Statesmen of Monticello—and they all apply to me for Introductions— and if I had ever received one introduction from you, I should have less scruple of Conscience in granting their requests—in the Stile of our New-England—the Reverend Mr Greenwood the Successor of Mr Thatcher and Dr...
3254From John Adams to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 17 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:175–176 . John Adams, thanking La Luzerne for his letter of 29 Sept. (calendared above) congratulating him on his appointment as minister to negotiate the peace, confessed to some diffidence about his ability to undertake so difficult a task. He added,...
3255April 10, 1754. (Adams Papers)
The theory of Centrifugal forces, continued; and aplyed to the Cases of the planets; and from this Centrifugal force, Mr. Winthrop confuted the hypothesis of vortices, from this also arises the spheroidal form of the earth.
3256John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
It was this Day determined, to adjourn, tomorrow Week to Philadelphia. How, as you know my opinion always was, will repent his mad march through the Jersies. The People of that Commonwealth, begin to raise their Spirits exceedingly, and to be firmer than ever. They are actuated by Resentment now, and Resentment coinciding with Principle is a very powerfull Motive. I have got into the old...
3257To John Jay from John Adams, 16 December 1787 (Jay Papers)
Two Days ago, I received the Letter, you did me the Honour to write me, on the 16 of Oct r . with its Enclosures. The Approbation of my Conduct in Europe expressed in the Resolution of Congress of the fifth of October, does me honour, and demands my Acknowledgments. The Permission to return to America and the termination of my Commission in Holland, having removed all Difficulties, It is my...
3258To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 2 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Adams’s respectfull Compliments to Dr Franklin. Informs him that Monsieur the Comte De Vergennes has appointed him next Tuesday to be at Versailles in order to be presented to the King and Royal Family. Mr Adams will have the Honour to breakefast at Passy with Dr Franklin, at an hour early enough to go to Versailles, which he supposes will be 8 o Clock....
3259June 29. 1770. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Began my Journey to Falmouth in Casco Bay. Baited my Horse at Martins in Lynn, where I saw T. Fletcher and his Wife, Mr. French &c. Dined at Goodhues in Salem, where I fell in Company with a Stranger, his Name I know not. He made a Genteell Appearance, was in a Chair himself with a Negro Servant. Seemed to have a general Knowledge of American Affairs, said he had been a Merchant in London, had...
3260From John Adams to United States Senate, 16 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund Respectfully Report to Congress as follow. That the purchases of the Debt of the United States as stated in their Report of the eighteenth of December 1795, amount to Two Millions, three hundred, seven thousand, six hundred, sixty one dollars, and Seventy one cents, for which there have been paid in specie, One Million, six hundred, Eighteen thousand, Nine...
32611774. Wednesday. Novr. 2. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Bulkleys at Fairfield to dinner, and to Captn. Benjamins of Stratford to lodge.
326224 Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Sat out for Worcester. Dined at Dedham and rode from thence in the rain to Mendon, supped and lodged at Josiah Adamses.
3263[April 5th. Sunday 1778.] (Adams Papers)
April 5th. Sunday 1778. Proceeded on our Journey more than an hundred Miles.
3264IV. A State of the Title of the Massachusetts-Bay, March – May 1774 (Adams Papers)
A State of the Title of the Massachusetts-Bay, to Lands between Connecticutt and Hudsons Rivers, at the North West Corner of the Province The particular Tract, at this Time to be considered, is bounded Easterly by Connecticutt River, Westerly by the Eastern Line of New York, Northerly by the Northern Boundary of the Massachusetts Bay, and Southerly by the whole Tract containing, about Fifty...
3265From John Adams to National Intelligencer, 4 August 1802 (Adams Papers)
It has been often Said, and as often as denied, that there are Men in this Country attached to Democracy. Simple Democracy: to a Government in every State, of a Single Assembly of Representatives, without a Senate and without a Governor; to a Government of the Nation in a Congress of Delegates in one House without a Senate and without a President. The Charge is Supported by the Declarations of...
3266From John Adams to John Bondfield, 30 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 13 is duely recd: I congratulate you, on Gillons Success and hope that his Prizes, and those he may make hereafter will defray the enormous Expence of that outfit. All his Patience Activity and Perseverance, were necessary, to carry that affair through: and the Cost was immense. I am not able to answer your Question, concerning the fate of a Vessell of yours, which should be carried...
3267From John Adams to Rev. William Walter, 24 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 15th with two Volumes of Essays from the beneficent Genius of Count Rumford. If you have labored through the three Volumes of my defence of the Constitutions, you have done them an honor that very few other men of letters have taken the trouble to bestow on them (They were written with a view of not only composing the ferment in America which produced...
3268[Fryday May 24. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 24. 1776. The Committee appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major General Gates and Brigadier General Mifflin brought in their report. The Resolutions reported and adopted may be seen on the Journal. Agreable to order, General Washington attended in Congress, and after some Conference with him, Resolved that he be directed to attend again tomorrow.
3269From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of 26. Septr…. It does not Signify! Van der kemp! It will not do, in this World, for a Man to have more Sense, more learning or more Virtue than his Neighbours. I know not, whether it is quite Safe to have so much, as the generality. Not only Opposition, but persecution, Seems to be the invariable Lot of every Man who distinguishes himself by uncommon Talents or...
3270From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you Mr. Fosters Letter, and your answer, together with the Abby Lambins’ Letter to Mr. Foster and the Arrete inclosed. Your answer to Mr. Foster is wise and prudent. How ready is the Spider to dart along his invisible Line, upon a fly, that he thinks he sees off his guard? In this Case however it will appear I hope and believe, that the intended Prey, our good hearted friend, has been...
3271From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 14 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
I fear I have not answered your letter of 20th of June. That of the 8th: of August, I certainly have not. I have been justly accused of Imbecility & Dotage for twenty years past. Yet I seem to be a Man of more consequence now, than I ever was before in my whole life. What a cloud of Reminiscences, has your last letter, exhailed in my old brain! Several of with whom I gazed through a telescope...
3272[October 1758] (Adams Papers)
Yesterday arrived here from Worcester. I am this Day about beginning Justinians Institutions with Arnold Vinnius’s Notes. I took it out of the Library at Colledge. It is intituled, D. Justiniani Sacratissimi Principis Institutionum sive Elementorum Libri quatuor, Notis perpetuis multo, quam hucusque, dilligentius illustrati, Cura & Studio, Arnoldi Vinnii J.C. Editio novissima priori Progressu...
327313 [i.e. 14] Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
A pleasant morning. Wheeler drank Tea here. I went with him in the Evening, to Capt. Stearns.
3274[1779 December 31. Fryday.] (Adams Papers)
1779 December 31. Fryday. We rode from Galliego to Sebrero, seven Leagues. Our Journey was more agreable this day, than usual: the Weather was remarkably fair and dry, and the roads not so bad as We had expected. There was the grandest profusion of wild irregular Mountains I ever saw: yet laboured and cultivated to their Summits. The Fields of Grain were all green. We passed a Range of...
3275From John Adams to John Adams, 16 October 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your frolicsome letter of the 10th of October has come to hand this morning and amidst the sinking and fainting infirmities of age has given me a temporary flash of spirits and has tirminated in the solid comfort of the arrival of your father and Mother and Miss Mary at Washington after tot et tanta discrimina rerum. The ladies must have had a severe trial your Mother is so much in the habit...
3276From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 10th. Mr. Shaw discovered his omission of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 and the paper of extracts & sent them on the next day. I hope you received them in course.—I have read the address to the independent electors of Pennsylvania, & am very curious to know, where all this will end. The trial will bring out some whimsical things. At present I will say nothing. I...
3277From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 31 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have before mentioned the Instructions of the City of Boston to their Representatives, in May 1764, printed in an Appendix to Mr Otis’s “Rights of the Colonies” In Obedience to those Instructions, or at least in Consequence of them Mr Otis prepared a Memorial to The House of Representatives, which was by them voted to be transmitted to Jasper Mauduit Esqr Agent for the Province, only as a...
3278From John Adams to Samuel Barrett, 11 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me on the first of this month with its inclosures: The Letter to The President is conceived with propriety & expressed with decency. As the Investigation of the Characters, Services, Qualifications, and all other pretensions of every Candidate for public employment, is constitutionally, in the President in the first Instance; General...
3279Adams’ Minutes of the Argument: Suffolk Superior Court, Boston, March 1768 (Adams Papers)
Covenant Broken. Plea. Special Demurrer. 1. 2. 3. 4. Joinder in Demurrer. Auchmuty. 2 Breaches assigned in Declaration by Plaintiff. 1. 2. not indemnifying. Plea is that Plaintiff was not damnifyd by any Demand from Trecothick & Thomlinson. The 3 first Reasons in the Special Demurrer, are to the same Point. —Tro. Holts Reports. Page 206. Annersley vs. Cutter. 2nd. Exception is that he did fit...
3280From John Adams to John Winthrop, 12 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with yours by your son, who has arrived here in good Health. I wish he may be provided for in one of the Ways you mention, because I esteem him deserving of it. The Question of Independence is so vast a Field that I have not Time to enter it, and go any Way in it. Many previous steps are necessary. The Colonies should all assume the Powers of Government in all its Branches first....
3281From John Adams to United States Senate, 17 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I now lay before you the instructions, given to our minister at the Court of Berlin, with the correspondence respecting the negotiation of the treaty with Prussia, according to your request of the 12 of this month DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
3282[April 9. Thursday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
April 9. Thursday. 1778. Though the City was very silent and still in the latter part of the night, the Bells, Carriages and Cries in the Street, were noisy enough in the morning. Went in a Coach to Passy with Dr. Noel and my Son. We visited Dr. Franklin with whom I had served the best part of two Years in Congress in great Harmony and Civility, and there had grown up between Us that kind of...
3283From John Adams to John Jay, 1 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter of the 29 th. Ult o. I inclosed Copies of the Letters which had passed between the secretary of State and myself—wherin this Day was fixed upon for my introduction to His Majesty—agreable to that arrangement the Master of Ceremonies waited on me at one and accompanied me to the secretary’s Office, from whence Lord Carmarthen accompanied me to the Palace— I was in a very short time...
3284John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you this morning inclosing a Post note for 600 and went to Senate with full Expectation of receiving a Letter from you. The Door Keeper had the Letters for others but none for me— What a Disappointment! I went mourning and moaping about for Some time, grumbling at my Stars and almost blaming my best Friend: but it was not long before the Letter of the 15 was brought me from the...
3285From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 13 September 1805 (Adams Papers)
(To be added to those on Sea Weeds) If the gentleman from the Isle of Fromme mentioned in your Letter of the Eighth give you a Portugese Man of War, I beg you to keep it and not present it to me as you generously propose. I have no use for it and no incentive to preserve it. I only want to know whether it has a distinguishable animal in it. If you part with it at all I hope you will give it to...
32864 Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Let any man, suppose of the most improved understanding, look upon a watch, when the Parts of it are separated. Let him examine every Wheel and spring seperately by itself. Yet if the Use and Application of these springs and Wheels is not explained to him, he will not be able to judge of the Use and Advantage of particular Parts, much less will he be able, if he sees only one wheel. In like...
3287Definitive Peace Treaty between the United States and Great Britain, [3 September 1783] (Adams Papers)
In the Name of the most Holy & undivided Trinity. It having pleased the divine Providence to dispose the Hearts of the most Serene & most Potent Prince George the third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France & Ireland Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick & Lunebourg, Arch-Treasurer, and Prince Elector of the holy Roman Empire & ca: and of the United States of America to forget...
3288From John Adams to Anonymous, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the two patents for land received by the post yesterday signed by MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3289From John Adams to James McHenry, 27 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I last night received your favour of the 22d and thank you for your Sentiments, with which in general I very well agree. At the Same time I recd your other Letter of the Same Date with its Inclosures all of which I return to you with this.—I thank you Sir for your indefatigable Attention to all these Subjects. The Letters and Instructions to the Officers especially to General Wilkinson appear...
3290From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 7 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
I am in great perplexity, Every day something Occurs to puzzle my feeble intellect. To whom can I apply for instruction so properly as to you, who are so great a Master: A Nation of Bees in the wilderness in a state of nature, has sagacity enough, to wander about till, they find a hollow tree in which they can be screen’d and sheltered both from the scorching beams of the sun in a summer which...
3291From John Adams to John Stoughton, 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 28th & am very sorry to find inform you that upon a more particular examination of the law, it appears that the president is authorized to grant permits in two cases only, viz: when a vessell shall be employed in any purpose of political or national intercourse, and to aid the departure of French persons with their goods &...
3292From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Coll Franks arrived Yesterday afternoon, with your Favour of Sept r. 24.— I have Signed all the Papers as you Sent them, not perceiving any Alteration necessary.— I am afraid, that our Agent to Algiers going without any military Power will not Succeed: as the Danger of having their Town bombarded, or their Vessells taken, is the Principal Argument which the Dey has to use with the People, to...
3293John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I cannot exclude from my Mind your melancholly Situation. The Griefs of your Father and Sisters, your Uncles and Aunts, as well as the remoter Connections, often croud in upon me, when my whole Attention ought to be directed to other Subjects. Your Uncle Quincy, my Friend as well as Uncle, must regret the loss of a beloved Sister, Dr. Tufts my other Friend I know bewails the loss of a Friend,...
3294From John Adams to Barnabas Bidwell, 27 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 16th and thank you for the Information it contains A very little reflection I think must convince a Gentleman of your Information that it would be altogether improper for me to enter into any Conversation or Correspondence relative to the late Changes in Administration. If a President of the United States has not Authority enough to change his own Secretaries, he...
32951776. Jany. 25. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
About 10 Mr. Gerry called me, and we rode to Framingham, where We dined. Coll. Buckminster after Dinner shewed us, the Train of Artillery brought down from Ticonderoga, by Coll. Knox. It consists of Iron—9 Eighteen Pounders, 10 Twelves, 6. six, four nine Pounders, Three 13. Inch Mortars, Two Ten Inch Mortars, one Eight Inch, and one six and an half. Howitz, one Eight Inch and an half and one...
3296From John Adams to James McHenry, 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter & petition of the officers of a company of Artillery at North Hampton, William Edwards, Jonathan Breck & David Hunt, requesting the loan of two brass field pieces at Springfield, a petition which I pray you to grant, on the conditions they offer. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3297[1780. January 4. Tuesday.] (Adams Papers)
1780. January 4. Tuesday. At Astorga, We found clean Beds and no fleas for the first time since We had been in Spain. Walked twice round the Walls of the City, which are very ancient. We saw the Road to Leon and Bayonne and the road to Madrid. There is a pleasant Prospect of the Country from the Walls. Saw the Market of Vegetables. The Onions and Turnips were the largest and finest I ever saw....
3298Adams’ Minutes of the Argument: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, March 1768 (Adams Papers)
The Affairs and Transactions of the Customs and Revenue, are very loose. Customs and Duties and subsidies, have from Time to Time been granted by Parliament to his Majesty and the Collection and Management of them has been committed by Parliament to his Majesty, in short the Crown seems to have been entrusted with a discretionary Power by the Parli of appointing as many Sorts of Officers and...
3299From 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...
3300To James Madison from John Adams, 6 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
As I feel a kind of Ambition to introduce to the past present and future Presidents of U.S. Some of our most amiable Men, least bigotted least Superstitious Characters, and most catholic Minds, (in the moral, not Ecclesiastical Sense of the Word) I take the Liberty to introduce to you The Rev. Mr Henry Colman. As it was known that he intended a Journey to the Southward for his Health which is...