851To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Nathaniel Barrett, a Gentleman of a respectable Family in Boston, of a fair Character and long Experience in Trade, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter. He comes to France for the express Purpose of negotiating with proper Persons concerning the Proposals of Monsieur Tourtille de Sangrain, relative of Sperma Cœti oil. I beg Leave to recommend him and his Business to your...
852To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 13 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a Letter from my Friend General Warren of Milton Hill near Boston, acquainting me, that Congress have it in Contemplation to appoint their Ministers Consuls General, or rather to give them Authority to appoint Consuls, and that you are to have the nomination of that officer for Lisbon, that his son Winslow Warren, went sometime ago and settled at Lisbon, partly upon Some...
853To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 20 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barretts Arrival at Paris, is a lucky Event, and his appointment by the Merchants in Boston a judicious step; but I am not so clear in the Choice he makes of L’Orient to reside in. Paris, or even Havre, seems to me a better situation, Paris in preference to all others. If Boylstone would Act in concert with him, his Capital would be equal to every Thing which relates to the Business: But...
854To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 19 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with yours of 27. Decr. 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...
855To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 28 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 12, but yesterday, and wish it were in my Power to order the Interest due to the French Officers to be paid; but it is not. They must remain unpaid, be the Consequence what it may untill Congress or the Board of Treasury order it. Indeed, I dont know how your Subsistence and mine is to be paid after next month. Mr. Grand will be likely to advance yours, but from...
856To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 17 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador; but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprise that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. Last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
857To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 21 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have desired Colonel Smith to go Express to Paris, to intreat you to come here without loss of Time. The Portuguese Minister has received his Instructions from his Court, and we may here together conduct and finish the Negotiation with him, I suppose in three Weeks. But there is another Motive more Important. There is here a Tripolitan Ambassador with whom I have had three Conferences. The...
858To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you Mr. Samuel Hartley a Relation of the late Minister at Paris. He has Business at Paris which he will explain to you, whether you can be of any Service to him in that or not, your Civilities will be very agreable to him and oblige Dear Sir your most humble Servant, RC ( DLC ). Noted in SJL as received 31 Apr. [1 May?] “by Mr. S. Hartley and Colo. Jas. Hartley.”
859John Adams to Carmarthen, 13 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams presents his Compliments to the Right Honourable The Marquis of Carmarthen and acquaints his Lordship that Mr. Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles, is now here, and as they have something to Communicate to His Lordship relative to the affairs of the United States, they request a Time when they may have the honor to pay their respects to...
860To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 16 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Smith, a Son of the Lady you Saw here, who is a Sister of our old Acquaintances the Rutledges, will deliver you this Letter. He goes to reside Sometime in France. Mr. Jay, in a Letter of the 7. of April, writes me “We are well, ’tho not officially informed, that all the States have granted the Impost to Congress, except New York, in whose Legislature there is a Strong Party, against it.”...
861To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 23 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 11th. with the enclosures from Mr. Lamb, Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Barclay. I am not surprized that Mr. Lamb has only discovered that our means are inadequate, without learning the Sum that would be Sufficient. Il faut marchander avec ces Gens la. They must be beaten down as low as possible. But We shall find at last the Terms very dear. The Algerines will never...
862To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of 30. May with its Inclosures. You have Since that day no doubt received my answer to yours of the 11th., in which I agreed perfectly with you in the Propriety of Sending Mr. Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to send Mr. Randal with him but had rather he Should come to you first and then to me, and embark in London after we shall have had...
863To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night I received yours of the 16. Mr. Lamb has not written to me. Mr. Randal I have expected every day, for a long time, but have nothing from him, but what you transmitted me. My opinion of what is best to be done, which you desire to know is, that Mr. Lamb be desired to embark immediately for New York, and make his Report to Congress and render his account, and that Mr. Randal be...
864To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 26 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Sometime Since I received from Gov. Bowdoin some Papers relating to Alexander Gross, with an earnest desire that I would communicate them to the French Ambassador here. I did so and his Excellency was so good as to transmit them to the Comte De Vergennes. Mr. Bartholomy however advised me to write to you upon the Subject, that you might prevent it from being forgotten. Inclosed is a Letter,...
865To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 29 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter to Mr. Lamb and another to Mr. Randall: if you approve them please to Sign them and send them on. Why those Gentlemen have lingered in Spain I know not. I have long expected to hear of their Arrival in Paris. Possibly they wait for orders. If so, the inclosed will answer the End. The Chev. De Pinto told me on Wednesday that he had orders from his Court to inform me, that...
866To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 3 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23 of June is come to hand, with a Copy of Mr. Lambs of 6 June from Aranjuez. There is no Intelligence from America of Armies marching to take the Posts from the English. The News was made as I Suppose against the opening of the Three Per Cents, and it had the intended Effect to beat down the Stocks a little. Altho the Posts are important, the war with the Turks is more So. I lay...
867To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 16 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night Mr. Randal arrived with yours of the 9th. If the Prussian Treaty arrives to you, I think you will do well to Send Mr. Short with it to the Hague and Exchange it with Thulemeier, and get it printed in a Pamphlet Sending a Sufficient Number to you and to me. If it comes to me and you approve, I will Send Some one or go myself. The Chevr. De Pinto’s Courier unfortunately missed a...
868To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 31 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the Ratification of the Prussian Treaty, and next Thursday Shall Sett off for the Hague in order to exchange it with the Baron De Thulemeyer. Your favour of the 11th. instant I have received. There are great and weighty Considerations urged in it in favour of arming against the Algerines, and I confess, if our States could be brought to agree in the Measure, I Should be very...
869To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 11 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On my Return from Holland on the Sixth instant I found your Favours of the 8. and 13. Aug. On my Arrival at the Hague The Exchange of Ratifications was made on the 8. of August with The Baron De Thulemeier, and I had it Printed. It is only in French. Copies shall be Sent you as soon as I can find an Opportunity. We were present at Utrecht at the August Ceremony of Swearing in their new...
870To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 30 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By Dr. Gibbon a young Gentleman of Philadelphia whom I beg Leave to introduce to you, I have the Honour to send you a few more Copies of the Prussian Treaty; and to inclose in this, a Resolution of Congress of September 26. annulling Mr. Lambs Commission and Instructions. Mr. Jay desires me to transmit it to him, and although I hope Mr. Lamb is on his Passage to New York or already arrived...
871To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Letters of December 20. and Jan. 11. by Coll. Franks. The whole of the Business shall be dispatched, and Coll. Franks sent to Congress as you propose, as soon as possible. I have prepared a Draught of a joint Letter to Mr. Barclay and signed it, concerning Mr. Lamb, and shall inclose it to you with this. As to the Treaty with Portugal, the Chevalier De Pinto’s Courier whom...
872To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 20 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Gordon who is about publishing his Proposals for printing his History desires a Letter to you.—I told him that he might depend upon your good offices without any Letter, but as no harm will be done by complying with his Desire I beg Leave to introduce him, and to recommend his History to your Patronage in France. With equal affection, Esteem and respect, I have the Honour to be, Sir your...
873To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 1 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favours of Feb. 20. and 23 by Mr. Carnes, and the curious Pamphlets. Opening a direct Communication between Paris and America will facilitate the Trade of the two Countries, very much, and the new Treaty between France and England, will promote it still more. John Bull dont see it, and if he dont see a Thing at first, you know it is a rule with him ever after...
874To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 18 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mortimer the Bearer of this Letter, is a Gentleman of Letters, and although little known to me, is recommended by some of my Friends as a worthy, though unfortunate Man. He is represented to be a Friend to Liberty, and Humanity, and as such I beg leave to introduce him to you, and to ask for him any friendly Advice or Aid you may be able to afford him in his Views, of litterary Employment...
875To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received with great Pleasure your favour of the first.—Your Excursion I dare answer for it, will be advantageous in many respects to our Country.—The object of mine to Holland was to procure Money, and I had the good fortune to obtain as much as was necessary for the then present Purpose: but it was not in Consequence of any orders from Congress, and therefore I am under some Apprehension...
876To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from an Excursion to Devonshire with my Family, where we have been to fly from the Putrefaction of a Great City in the Summer heat, I had the Pleasure to find your favours of 17. and 23. of July. A Million of Guilders are borrowed on a new Loan in Holland, and I went over lately to Subscribe the obligations, a Punctillio which the Brokers were pleased to think indispensible, to...
877To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am Sorry to give you the trouble of this Commission: but I fear it will not be effectually done but by you, and therefore let me beg the favour of you to send for Mr. de La Blancherie and withdraw my Subscription to the Society of whose affairs he has the direction, and put a stop to his sending me the Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres et Des Arts. He persuaded me at the Hague to...
878To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 16 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you Mr. John Brown Cutting, who will need no other Recommendation, than his own Genius. Let me beg your acceptance, too of a Sett of my Defence &c. and let me know your Opinion of the Second volume, and whether it is worth my while to write a third upon Confederations &c. Yours most Sincerely, RC ( DLC ); endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 23 Sep. 1787. My...
879To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 9 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you a copy of my second volume by Mr. Barthelemy the French Chargé here now Minister, with a Letter about Money matters. In your favour of Sept. 28. you dont mention the receipt of them.—I have indeed long thought with Anxiety of our Money in the hands of our Friends, whom you mention, and have taken the best Precaution in my Power, against Accidents. I do not consider the Game as up....
880To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 28 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Daniel Parker will have the Honour to deliver you this. He is an intelligent American, and well informed as any Man you will see from hence. I beg leave to introduce him to you. Let me thank you for your late Letter and the important State Papers inclosed with it. I have ordered to your Address, a dozen Copies of my Boudoir for the Marquis, who desired Mr. Appleton and Mr. Paine to have...
881To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Boylston is going to Paris, with a Cargo of Sperma Cæti oil, and will be obliged to you for any assistance or advice you can give him. I forwarded a few days ago, from Mr. Gerry, a Copy as I suppose of the Result of Convention.—It seems to be admirably calculated to preserve the Union, to increase Affection, and to bring us all to the same mode of thinking. They have adopted the Idea of...
882To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Project of a new Constitution, has Objections against it, to which I find it difficult to reconcile my self, but I am so unfortunate as to differ somewhat from you in the Articles, according to your last kind Letter. You are afraid of the one—I, of the few. We agree perfectly that the many should have a full fair and perfect Representation.—You are Apprehensive of Monarchy; I, of...
883[To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ London, 6 Dec. 1787. Recorded in SJL as received 17 Dec. 1787, “recommending of Cerisier.” Not found. Antoine-Marie Cerisier, French historian and diplomat, was attached to the French embassy in Holland, where Adams met him in 1780 (Didot, Nouvelle biographie générale; Adams, Works , I , 330; vii , 492).]
884To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners of Algiers. It is probable You have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. Mr....
885To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night I received your Letter of the 12. Mr. Jarvis and Commodore Jones are arrived here from New york both charged with large Dispatches for you. Mr. Jarvis Sent his Packet on by Col. Trumbul who departed from hence for Paris last Thursday. Comr. Jones went off a day or two ago, but both will arrive to you before this Letter. The Papers they carry, with a Renovation of your Commission at...
886To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last Post I answered your Letter of the 12, and Yesterday received yours of the 16. Com. Jones has before now delivered you dispatches that will serve no doubt for your direction. Mr. Van staphorst, will have no Objection to an handsome Commission, for paying off, the Debt Mr. Fizeaux mentions: and Mr. Fizeau, will be glad to have it paid off, that the Money Lenders not knowing what to...
887To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 31 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you my young Friend Mr. Alexander Edwards of South Carolina, a modest and amiable young Gentleman who came particularly recommended to me, and whom I have found by Several Months Acquaintance to merit every Attention and Encouragement. I am, my dear Sir yours most affectionately, RC ( DLC ).
888To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 12 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 6th. and had before received the same Information from Amsterdam. I know not how to express to you, the sense I have of the disingenuity of this Plott. The Difficulty of selling the obligations I believe to be mere Pretence, and indeed the whole appears to me to be a concerted Fiction, in consequence of some Contrivance or Suggestion of Mr. Parker, the great...
889To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to introduce to you John Coffin Jones Esqr, an eminent Merchant of Boston and a late Member of the Legislature from that Town. His Character both in public and private Life is much respected, and his Intelligence will enable him to give you a much better account of the general and particular Politicks of this Country than I can. Our Fellow Citizens are in the midst of their...
890To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 1 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Letter from The Hon. Stephen Higginson Esqr. is upon a Subject of so much Importance, and contains so much Information that I cannot withold it from you. The little Jealousy, Envy or Caprice, that shall deprive our Merchants of the Benefit of Trading to the Isles of France and Bourbon, will only compell them to seek the Ultimate Markets upon the Continent, directly. In four days,...