2971From John Adams to the President of Congress, 16 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
RC ( PCC , No. 84, III, f. 462–465). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:114–116. In this letter JA included English translations of two items that appeared in Dutch newspapers, including the Gazette de Leyde of 8 and 11 January. The first was the representation...
2972From John Adams to the President of Congress, 18 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having recieved an Invitation to the Hague, in order to have some Conversation with some Gentlemen in the Government concerning the further Steps proper for me to take in the present Conjuncture, I had determined to have undertaken the Journey to day: but the Arrival in Town of the Duke de la Vauguyon, determined me to postpone it until tomorrow. At noon to day, his Excellency did me the honor...
2973From John Adams to the President of Congress, 25 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 25 December 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, III, f. 438–441). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:70–71). In this letter, which Congress received on 18 Sept. 1782, JA provided the text of Lord Stormont’s announcement of 8 Sept. to the...
2974From John Adams to the President of Congress, 4 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved those Instructions, with which I was honoured by Congress on the sixteenth of August, and communicated them forthwith to the French Ambassador to their High Mightinesses, and to the American Ministers at Versailles and Madrid. The Duke de la Vauguyon was of opinion, that they were very well considered, and very well timed, to counteract another Trait of British Policy, in...
2975From John Adams to the President of Congress, 13 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam 13 December 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, III, f. 426–429). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:43–44. This letter, read in Congress on 15 March 1782 and acted upon on 26 March ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the...
2976From John Adams to the President of Congress, 14 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Having recieved the Advice of several Gentlemen, Members of the States, and also the Opinion of the Duke de la Vauguyon and the Comte de Vergennes, I went to the Hague on Tuesday the 8th. day of this Month, and the next Morning at ten waited on the President of their High Mightinesses, Mr. Van den Sandheuvel of Dort, a City of Holland, to whom I made a verbal Requisition in the following...
2977From John Adams to the President of Congress, 14 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
The first public Body, which has proposed a Connection with the United States, is the quarter of Oostergo, in the Province of Friesland. The Proposition is in these words: “Every impartial Patriot has a long time percieved, that in the direction of affairs relative to this War with England, there has been manifested an inconcievable Lukewarmness and Sloth: but they discover themselves still...
2978From John Adams to Seth Harding, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the 11th of this month I received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the fourth with a large number of certificates from gentlemen of great respectability. I am very sorry, Sir, that you have had the trouble of procuring these testimonials; but I am very happy to assure you, that they are entirely satisfactory to me, & have removed every unfavorable impression from my mind,...
2979From John Adams to Joseph Hardy, 6 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
In 1779 at Bilbao I was solicited for releif by a number of American seamen who had been captured by the English and turned adrift in Portugal. These wandered to Spain with much difficulty and in great distress. I had no means of supplying them: but M r Gardoqui very generously offered to assist them upon my advice. The article in his account, ought to be allowed him with interest and thanks....
2980From John Adams to John Adams Harper, 22 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 14th of June inclosing that of the 30th of March. As you have voluntarily assumed my name, if I have not a right to call you my Son. I have at least a right to give you my blessing: which I do most Sincerely wishing and praying that you may enjoy every comfort and prosperity in your private Life and public career. it has been...
2981From John Adams to John Adams Harper, 20 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have received, under your Frank, Copies of Henry’s full Proofs of his own turpitude and that of the late Governor of Canada, and that of some of the British Ministery; and I thank you for them. I read a Speech of Mr. Harper in Congress which appeared to me to contain marks of a Mind awake to Principles of Equity Humanity and Benevolence, as well as of Discretion, Patriotism and Sound Policy:...
2982From John Adams to William Henry Harrison, 11 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with much pleasure your unanimous address of the 29th of june. I agree with you, that in the ordinary Course of Affairs interpositions of popular Meetings to overawe those to whom the management of Public affairs are confided will seldom be warranted by discretion, or found compatable with the good order of Society. but at a Period like this there is no Method more...
2983From John Adams to Charles Harrod, 23 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
Accept my hearty thanks for your kind favor of January 3d, and for your the four ears of corn beautiful corn from the species of Onaha Indians in Missoury; it has a curious and singular appearance and promises very well. Although my ground with the best cultivation I can give it will not produce more than half of a hundred bushels on an Acre. I shall certainly plant this seed with care by way...
2984From John Adams to Ct., Inhabitants of Hartford, 10 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Although the sentiments and conduct of the people of Connecticut, as expressed upon all occasions by themselves at home, and their representatives in both houses of Congress, have been so unanimous and uniform in support of the government as to render their interposition at this crisis unnecessary, yet this address from the citizens of Hartford is not the less agreeable to me, or deserving my...
2985The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the honour to write on the 12th. Inst. and shall take the first Opportunity of conveying to Congress the agreable Information contained in it. The Sentiments & Sensations which the Re-establishment of Peace between our two Countries,...
2986The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives; copies of draft: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet...
2987Articles Proposed to David Hartley by the American Peace Commissioners (Adams Papers)
[ Paris, 29 April 1783 ]. PRINTED: JA , D&A , 3:114–115 . MS ( Adams Papers ). LbC ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 109. LbC-Tr
2988The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30th. of November 1782, and we are ready...
2989The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley: Proposals, [29 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy and transcript: National Archives Propositions made to Mr Hartley for the definitive Treaty— 1st To omit in the Definitive Treaty the Exception at the End of the 2d Article of the Provisional Treaty: Viz: these Words “Excepting such Islands...
2990The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 30 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of copy: National Archives The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great Britain, present their Compliments to Mr. Hartley. They regret that Mr. Hartley’s Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America at the Place...
2991Proposal by the American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley (Adams Papers)
Paris, 22 May 1783. PRINTED: JA , D&A , 3:125–127 . LbC-Tr ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 103. With this offer the commissioners sought to counter Hartley’s proposal of the previous day (above) as well as the 14 May Order in Council. They proposed an agreement whereby both parties would appoint ministers to negotiate a permanent commercial treaty. Until such time as an agreement was concluded,...
2992The American Commissioners to David Hartley, 16 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy and transcript: Library of Congress; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 16, 1778: I received yours of the 5th, informing us that the government has agreed to an exchange of prisoners, and we have written Captain Jones for the list; it contains, I understand, at least two hundred men. We expect ours to be...
2993From John Adams to David Hartley, 12 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for a Letter of the 14th of August, which was this day delivered me, by your Friend. You was not misinformed when you heard that the Object of my Appointment, was Peace; nor do I differ from your Opinion that this Appointment was honourable; altho I See no Prospect at all, of ever acting in Virtue of it. War, will not last forever it is true: but it will probably last long...
2994The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley: Answers to Propositions, [29 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives (two), Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives Answers to Mr Hartleys six Propositions for the definitive Treaty— To the 1st This matter has been already regulated in the 5th & 6th Articles of the Provisional Treaty to the utmost extent of our...
2995The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachussetts Historical Society, Library of Congress We have the honour of transmitting herewith enclosed an Extract of a Resolution of Congress of the 1. May last, which we have Just recd. You will perceive from it that we may daily expect a Commission in due Form, for the Purposes mentioned in it, and we assure you of our Readiness to enter upon the Business, whenever you may think...
2996From John Adams to Oliver Hart, 26 November 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have received from you an agreeable present of your Thanksgiving Sermon, and have read it with pleasure; The text I think was very appositely chosen; for every Balaam in the World, I think, unless a more abandoned deceiver of himself than the original prophet of that name must cry, “How shall I curse, when God has not cursed,” when he is called upon to prophecy evil concerning America....
2997From John Adams to the President and Corporation of Harvard College, 3 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 3 March 1780. LbC ( Adams Papers ). This was a cover letter for that of 2 March from Antoine Court de Gébelin to the President and Corporation presenting the first six volumes of Gébelin’s nine volume Monde primitif to the college. John Adams’ letter, except for the formal opening and closing, and excerpts from Court de Gébelin’s letter, are printed in note 2 to a letter of 13 Oct. 1780...
2998From John Adams to Students of Harvard College, July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The companions, studies, and amusements of my youth, under the auspices of our alma mater , whom I shall ever hold in the highest veneration and affection, came fresh to my remembrance on receiving your address. The maxims of life and the elements of literature, which have ever been inculcated in that ancient seat of education, could produce no other sentiments, in a juncture like this, than...
2999From John Adams to Nathaniel A. Haven, 3 September 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of August 27—and regr et that it is not in my power to give you any positive informati on concerning the subject of it. I was not a member of the Convention which formed the Constitution but though I have conversed very freely with the members of that Convention, I never heard one of them hint at the anecdote you recite. It is not however entirely inconsistent with...
3000From John Adams to Joseph Hawley, 25 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
This afternoon at five o Clock, I received your kind Letter of November the 14. dated at Brookfield—which was the more agreable because such Favours from you short as this is are very rare. You tell me, Sir, “that We Shall have no Winter Army, if our Congress dont give better Encouragement to the Privates than at present is held forth to them”—and that “there must be Some Small Bounty given...