51From John Adams to John Jay, 25 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you Yesterday, in your Ministerial Capacity as well as mine, my ulltimate Determination to revisit my Country, this time twelve months.— I now write you this private Letter to intreat you as a Friend, to promote in every Way in your Power, an Arrangement as early as possible, by which I may be permitted to return, with Decorum.— It is not from a desire to stimulate any Body to vote for...
52From John Adams to John Jay, 31 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Paul Randall Esq r , who has been with M r Lamb to Algiers will have the Honour to deliver this Letter. in order to lay before Congress the earliest Information of all that has come to his Knowledge, in the Course of his Journeys and Voyages he proposes to return, without loss of Time to New-York. He has conducted, as far as I can judge, with Prudence and Fidelity, and has merited a...
53From John Adams to John Jay, 24 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I was Yesterday honoured, with your Letter of the 14 th. of October, accompanied with the Gazettes and the Act of Congress of the 27. Sept r. You will learn from M r Dumas Letter, as well as by the public Papers, that the Treaty of defensive Alliance, between France and Holland was Signed at Paris on the tenth of this month. The vain Exertions of the Cabinet of St. James’s, to prevent it, are...
54From John Adams to John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
When the Ratification of Congress, of their Treaty with the King of Prussia, arrived here, the Term limited for the Exchange of it was near expiring. as a few Members of the States general, had discovered Uneasiness at my coming to London without going to the Hague to take Leave, it Seemed a convenient Opportunity to go over and Shew them as much of the Respect they required as remained in my...
55From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Expences of Insurance on American Vessells; the Obstructions of their Commerce with Spain Portugal and Italy: and Compassion for our Fellow Citizens in Captivity: all occasioned by Apprehensions of the Barbary Corsairs, must excite Solicitude in every Man capable of thinking or Feeling. it is nevertheless certain that too great an Alarm has been Spread, Since no more than two Vessells have...
56From John Adams to John Jay, 3 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
There is a Gentleman at Lisbon, who went and established himself there, as I believe partly with a View to the Consulate. He is of a very respectable Family and Connection, who have indeed Sacrificed themselves in the Cause of their Country. He is a Nephew of the famous Otis and a Son of Major General Warren. The Gentleman himself whose name is Winslow Warren, is ingenious and active, and I...
57John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received the Letter which D r Franklin did me the Honour to write me on the 16 th. with the Copy of the Treaty with Sweeden. I have before inclosed the King of Prussias Project of a Treaty, prepared as I am assured by his Minister with his own Hand in his private Cabinet. I believe it has been reserved to the present Age when the subtilties of Aristotle and the schools are...
58To John Jay from John Adams, 5 November 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Chevalier De Pinto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, from Portugal, after a long Absence by Leave of his Court, is lately arrived here from Lisbon. Upon Several Occasions, when I met him, at court and upon Visits, he told me, that he had orders from his Court to confer with me, upon the Project of a Treaty between the United States and Portugal, but he never descended to...
59From John Adams to John Jay, 31 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Marquis of Carmarthen told me a Story of an Italian Ambassador who resided at this Court some Years ago, which was very humerous. It was his Excellencys Practice to take all the Newspapers, every Morning, and make up his Dispatches by transcribing Paragraphs from them. He began very gravely “Ho penetrato,” and went on from those Words to translate whatever he found which could amuse or...
60From John Adams to John Jay, 6 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
If the Facts, which I have had the Honour to state to you in my preceeding Letters, are credited, I think it will appear, that the Connections of these Kingdoms with foreign Powers, every Idea of the Ballance of Europe; the Dominions of Great Britain in Asia And America, and all the Interests Considerations of Posterity, are Sacrificed, to a momentary Tranquility and Credit. From which...
61To John Jay from John Adams, 26 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have only Time to introduce to you and M rs Jay, my Daughter Smith and to recommend her to your Patronage and M rs Jays Friendship. I Shall embark in Six or Eight days. I am just returned from a cold Journey to the Hague and Amsterdam, where I met M r Jefferson very unexpectedly. He has persuaded me, to open another Loan, which he will transmit to Congress. I am very anxious least it Should...
62John Adams to John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am extreamly Sorry, to read in your Letter of the 8 th. that you think of embarking for America. Let me beg of you to reconsider that Project. if you persist in it, I shall repent of having written for my Family and wish I had it in my Power to go there too. The Committee to whom, the Dispatches by Thaxter were referred have reported that a Commission be sent to the 3 named in the Resolution...
63From John Adams to John Jay, 19 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to propose for your consideration, and to request you to submit to the decision of Congress whether it would not be proper that some measures should be taken to furnish your Ministers abroad with the Laws of the several States, and more especially with such Laws as may have a relation to External Commerce, or any other foreign Affair— Information of this kind will be wanted at...
64From John Adams to John Jay, 27 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Chevalier De Pinto, the Envoy of Portugal, informed me, this Day that he had received Instructions from his Court, to inform me, “that the Queen his Mistress has Sent a Squadron to cruise in the Mouth of the Streights with Orders to protect all Vessells belonging to the United States of America equally with those of her own Subjects and that She would continue those orders as long as they...
65From John Adams to John Jay, 22 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
On Monday Evening another Conference was held with the Tripolitan Ambassador, attended with his Interpreter Benamor, who is a decent Man, and very ready in the English as well as Arabick and Italian. The Foreign Ministers here Say it is the Custom of all the Ambassadors from Barbary to be much connected with Jews to whom they are commonly recommended. It may be Supposed the Jews have...
66To John Jay from John Adams, 26 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Envoy from Portugal, has received, from his Court an Answer to his Dispatches relative to the Treaty with the United States, and the enclosed Extract from it, which has been delayed some time by the Sickness of the Chevalier de Freire, the Portuguese Secretary of Legation, th at is Minister did me the Honour to deliver to me two days ago, with his request that it might be transmitted to...
67John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 10 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed is Copy of a Letter from the Baron de Thulemeier and Copy of a Project of a Treaty transmitted to me by order of the King of Prussia: I should be glad if your Excellencies would examine it, and write me your objections, and proposals of alterations, which I shall immediately communicate to his Majesty through his Minister. I presume too...
68From John Adams to John Jay, 17 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
At three O Clock according to Appointment, I went to the Secretary of States Office, in Cleavland Row St. James’s, and was immediately received by the Marquis of Carmarthen. His Lordship began the Conversation, by Saying that he could answer for himself and he believed for the rest of the Kings Servants, that they were Sincerely desirous of cultivating the most cordial Friendship with America,...
69John Adams to John Jay, 13 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d a Letter from M r Gerry, at Phil a. 23 Nov. Thaxter arrived there the night before. I presume he has written by M r Reed, and that his Letter is gone to You, as he probably addressed his Letter to Us all. M r Morris has drawn afresh by this Vessell. Let me beg of you and the D r , to advise him to Stop his Hand. If I can possibly, save those already drawn, which however I still...
70From John Adams to John Jay, 3 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote a few Days Since by Col Franks who embarks in the French Packet from Havre De Grace, with the Morocco Treaty. There is no further Intelligence of the Portugal Business, nor any better Prospect, or more agreable Disposition in this Country, whatever Artifices may be employed in America to keep up delusive hopes. Parliament opened with an uncommon Gloom, and has been Sitting in a...
71From John Adams to John Jay, 29 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I was obliged to a Letter from the Duke of Dorsett, to the Custom House at Dover, as I Suppose for the respect with which my Baggage was allowed to pass without a Visit, and arrived in Westminster on the 25, at Evening. I wrote, late at night to the Marquis of Carmarthen, that I was arrived and desired to be informed at what hour I should call upon his Lordship. the next Morning I had an...
72From John Adams to John Jay, 10 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of a Letter from the Portugese Minister, to me of the 7. of September and my Answer of this day the tenth. This is So pointed a Proposition, that Congress will undoubtedly Send an Answer either in the affirmative or Negative. The Regard of Sovereigns to one another, renders this indispensable. and I am not able to See how a Complyance with so civil a request can well be...
73From John Adams to John Jay, 27 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
At the last Conferences, as they call here what is understood in Paris by Ambassadors Days the Marquis of Carmarthen was pleased to make an Apology for not having yet answered the Memorial requiring the Evacuation of the Posts. “It would Sound oddly to Say that he had delayed his Answer, to prevent Delays, but it was true. He had drawn up his answer, but as he was obliged to Say Something,...
74From John Adams to John Jay, 30 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have redeemed a Moment, from a Multitude of Avocations, at this critical Time, to acknowledge the Receipt by Coll Smith of your Letters of 31 of March, with the Resolution of Congress inclosed of the 21. of March. As M r De St. Saphorin is many Months ago, recalled from the Hague I Shall make Enquiry after him, and if I cannot find where he is, I Shall communicate a Copy of the Resolution,...
75From John Adams to John Jay, 22 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
There was Yesterday in the River, an Impress of Seamen, and Several American Vessells had their Men taken from them. An Application was made to me this Morning by a Master of a ship from New York, and I instantly wrote the inclosed Letter to Lord Carmarthen and went in Person to White Hall to deliver it. His Lordship read the Letter, and the Representation to me from the Captain and after some...
76From John Adams to John Jay, 15 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
There are mysterious Movements, of various kinds, that ought to be observed and reflected on, although We cannot draw any certain Conclusions from them. General Faucett, is often at the Levee, not indeed, on Wednesdays, nor at the Drawing Room on Thursdays, on which occasions the Foreign Ministers attend, but on Frydays, when there are no Strangers, and when only the Ministers of State, and...
77From John Adams to John Jay, 2 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
During my Interview with the Marquis of Carmarthen he told me, that it was customary, for every foreign Minister, at his first Presentation to the King, to make his Majesty Some Compliments conformable to the Spirit of his Credentials: and when Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer, the Master of the Ceremonies, came to inform me, that he Should accompany me to the Secretary of State and to Court, he...
78From John Adams to John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have written, by the late Packetts, for the Orders of Congress concerning near a Million of Guilders in the Hands of Mess s. Willinks & c in Amsterdam, and requesting the Ratification of my last Loan, and other Subjects. by the February Packet, hourly expected I hope to have the Honour of Letters from you, with the Pleasure of Congress relative to those Matters. Our joint Dispatches will...
79From John Adams to John Jay, 15 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Attack upon Mr Dumas, is but a Part of that system of Intimidation, that the present Tryumphant Party in Holland is pursuing, and if one were to conjecture, it would be plausible to Suppose that sir James Harris, was the Instigator of it. The English Court and Nation, with all their affected Contempt, and rude Execrations of the Dutch, have at Bottom a very great opinion of the Importance...
80From John Adams to John Jay, 5 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Chevalier De Pinto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, from Portugal, after a long Absence by Leave of his Court, is lately arrived here from Lisbon: Upon Several Occasions, when I met him, at Court and upon Visits, he told me, that he had orders from his Court to confer with me, upon the Project of a Treaty between the United States and Portugal, but he never descended to...
81From John Adams to John Jay, 6 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received the two Letters You did me the Honour to write me on the 3. of August. The Instructions shall be obeyed as soon as possible. As to a Letter of Credence to the Queen, I believe it will now be unnecessary: but, when you Send me a Letter of Recall to the King, it may be proper to send another to the Queen: and, when You Send a new Minister, to give him a Letter of Credence to...
82From John Adams to John Jay, 23 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Accounts from Holland and France are very discouraging: So much so that it would be imprudent to enter into a detail of Evils that are inevitable. The Republick of Holland is in the Utmost danger of being extinct: and if the old Forms are hereafter preserved, the Prince will be So much Master, in Reality that the Friends of Liberty must be very unhappy, and live in continual disgrace and...
83To John Jay from John Adams, 15 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
There are mysterious Movements, of various kinds, that ought to be observed and reflected on, although we cannot draw any certain Conclusions from them. General Faucett, is often at the Levee, not indeed, on Wednesdays, nor at the Drawing Room on Thursdays, on which occasions the Foreign Ministers attend, but on Frydays, when there are no Strangers, and when only the Ministers of State, and...
84From John Adams to John Jay, 14 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
Last Thursday, according to your Advice, I communicated to Lord Carmarthen, not officially but as private, tho authentic Intelligence, the Resolutions of Congress of the twenty first of March. His Lordship appeared to be Sincerely and highly pleased: And Said that those Resolutions did the highest honour to Congress, and he wished I had Authority to communicate them formally. The Reason was...
85To John Jay from John Adams (private), 22 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
Your private Letter of the twenty fifth of July is very friendly and obliging as usual. give yourself no concern about my apprehensions of your Want of Attention. I know too well your constant and assiduous applications to the Duties of your public offices, as well as to the just concerns of your private friends, ever to suspect you of failing in either.—I shudder when I think of your next...
86From John Adams to John Jay, 5 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Britons boast that All the Prophecies of the Loss of the American Trade, from the Independance of the United States have proved false: that the Experiment has been tryed and the Contest decided: that there was, at the Peace, a Competition of the Commercial Nations of Europe, for the Prize: that the Superiour Abilities of the British Manufacturers, and the greater Capitals of their...
87From John Adams to John Jay, 7 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
In a former Letter I expressed a Doubt whether I Should go directly to London, or first to the Hague in order to take Leave: but upon further Reflexion, as I have not received a regular Letter of Recall, and another Minister to their High Mightinesses is not yet arrived, it Seems best to avoid Occasion of too much Speculation among our Creditors in that Country for the present. The Minister...
88To John Jay from John Adams, 25 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have not presented a formal Memorial, in the Name of our Sovereign concerning the Negroes carried off contrary to the Treaty, although it has been frequently and constantly insisted upon with the British Ministry, for several Reasons. one was, a desire to confine the first Memorial to one point, the frontier Posts that the real Motives and Intentions of the Cabinet might be the more...
89To John Jay from John Adams, 20 April 1784 (Jay Papers)
I am extreamly Sorry, to read in your Letter of the 8 th . that you think of embarking for America. Let me beg of you to reconsider that Project, if you persist in it, I shall repent of having written for my Family and wish I had it in my Power to go there too. The Committee to whom, the Dispatches by Thaxter were referred have reported that a Commission be sent to the 3 named in the...
90From John Adams to John Jay, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose Papers, relative to affrican Affairs, altho M r Jefferson has transmitted them before, as it is possible his Conveyance may fail. The Intelligence all tends to confirm what has been more than once written to you before, that two or three hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling, will be necessary to obtain a perpetual Peace.— It is very clear, that a Peace would be...
91To John Jay from John Adams, 19 July 1785 (Jay Papers)
Give me leave to propose for your consideration, and to request you to submit to the decision of Congress whether it would not be proper that some measures should be taken to furnish your Ministers abroad with the Laws of the several States, and more especially with such Laws as may have a relation to External Commerce, or any other foreign Affair — Information of this Kind will be wanted at...
92From John Adams to John Jay, 29 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose a Copy of a Letter to the Marquis of Carmarthen of the 14 th. of July, another of the 27 th. with a project of a Declaration concerning the construction of the Armistice, and another of this date with a project of a Treaty of Commerce— It is high time something should be done, to turn the attention of Administration to the relation between this Country and the...
93John Adams to John Jay, 2 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I blush to acknowledge, that I received your favour of the 6. Feb. in its Season and in good Condition, and that I have not answered it. By leading a quiet Life, and by great Care and regular Exercise I have happily recovered a little Health and if you think it necessary I might now venture on a Journey to Paris. But I should be glad to wait here Six Weeks longer, that I may increase my stock...
94John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 2 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I duely received the Letter, you did me the Honour to write me, on the Subject of a Treaty with Prussia and have communicated it to the Baron de Thuelemeier. The King agrees to take the Treaty with Sweeden for a Model and if your Excellencies have any Alterations to propose I should be obliged to you for the Communication of them. The Baron waits the...
95From John Adams to John Jay, 9 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am unable to give you any Account, of the Reasons, which have prevented the Treaty with Morocco from reaching London. But it has not yet made its Appearance. The Tripoline Ambassador, Sent me a polite Message and desired a Conference. it was agreed to, and his Excellency was pleased to inform me, that he had received repeated Letters to return home, and Should depart in a few Weeks. desired...
96From John Adams to John Jay, 25 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I had a long Conference with M r Pitt for the first time.— He never had proposed any Interview with me, and I had delayed to request him to appoint any Time, after the first ceremonial Visit, for two Reasons; because that while Parliament was Sitting his Time and Mind were so engaged that it was impossible he Should attend in earnest to the Affairs of the United States, and because...
97From John Adams to John Jay, 15 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday, the 13. the Marquis of Carmarthen, informed me, that, Captain of the Mercury Man of War, to use his Lordships own Words “had received a Severe Rap, over the Knuckles, from the Lords of the Admiralty, for his Conduct at Boston.” His Lordship had “received a Letter from Lord How, accompanied with a long dull Letter, from Captain Stanhope which instead of being a justification of...
98From John Adams to John Jay, 16 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago, I was honoured with your Letter of the 4. of May, in which another of the first of the same month is referr’d to, and as I hear there is a Passenger expected from the Packet, I hope to receive it from him when he arrives in town. Lord Carmarthen told me Yesterday, “that he had Letters from M r Anstey, mentioning his civil reception: his Lordship Said, too, that a Minister...
99From John Adams to John Jay, 17 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
It has been the general Sense of our Country, Since the Peace, that it was their Duty and their Interest, to be impartial between the Powers of Europe, and observe a Neutrality in their Wars. This Principle is a wise one, upon the Supposition that those Powers will be impartial to Us, and permit Us to remain at Peace. but it is natural for England And France to be jealous of our Neutrality,...
100From John Adams to John Jay, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
An Event has taken Place, of too much Importance to the United States, to be omitted, in Dispatches to Congress. A Messenger arrived at the Secretary of States Office, last night, with a Treaty of Commerce between France and England, Signed by the Comte De Vergennes and M r Eden. it cannot be Supposed that the Contents can be fully known: but it is Suggested that England has Stipulated, to...