It gives me real pain to see the various arts and machinations of our internal Enemies practised with Effect upon the generality of Mankind. From the various reports which have been too successfully circulated for this month past the people will be brought to entertain suspicions with regard to congress which will tend to weaken their Authority and be greatly detrimental to our cause. Mr. D ea...
2Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 8 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yes I have been Sick confined to my chamber with a slow fever. I have been unhappy through anxiety for my dear Boy, and still am apprehensive of our terrible coast should he come upon it, besides the tormenting cruizers infest our Bay with impuinity and take every thing. You have heard I suppose that the passengers all left the Ship and went to Bilboa upon Gillions abusive treatment of them....
3Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
At length the mistery is unravelld, and by a mere accident I have come to the knowledge of what you have more than once hinted at. A Letter of Mrs. Shippen addressed to Mrs. A. but without any christian Name or place of abode, was put into my Hands Supposed for me, I opened and read it half through before I discoverd the mistake. Ought Eve to have laid it by then when so honestly come at? But...
4From John Adams to James Lovell, 19 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
You have been so good, in sending me the Journals and above all in sending me very particular Intelligence of what has passed upon several occasions that I depend much upon the Continuance of your Favours. An early receipt of the Journals will be a great Advantage to me, and I shall not fail to make a good Use of them. Since I have been here, I have seen Mr. I. and mentioned to him, his famous...
5Enclosure: Joseph Gridley to James Lovell, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you an English paper of May 15th whereby you will see the Temper of the English Councils & the Failure of the prince Nassau’s Expedition to Jersey & Guernsey. however, as the Troops that were designed for America, under Convoy of Admiral Arbuthnot (being 4000) went to Guernsey, it is probable they will be detained some time & possibly it will prevent their going out at all, as it is...
6From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, our firm & constant Friend, returning to America, I have written a long Letter by him to the President, of which a Copy goes by this Ship.— M. Gerard is since arrived, and I have received the Dispatches you mentioned to me but no Letter in answer to mine, a very long one, by the Chevr de...
7From George Washington to James Lovell, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have taken in forwarding the intelligence which was enclosed in your Letter of the 11th of March—It is by comparing a variety of information, we are frequently enable to investigate facts, which were so intricate or hidden, that no single clue could have led to the knowledge of them in this point of view, intelligence becomes interesting, which from but its...
8From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 10 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received on the 12th of June 1780 Copies of your several Favours of April 29. 1779. June 13. 1779. July 9th. & 16th. Augt 6. & Sept. 16th. 1779.— You will see by this what Delays our Correspondence sometimes meets with. I have lately receiv’d two of fresher Date, viz. Feb. 24. & May 4. I thank you much for the...
9From John Adams to James Lovell, 25 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to congress of the 16 of May, inclosing my Memorial, I observed, that the Bravery of our Countrymen in Carolina, De la motte piquets Captures, and the Spanish opperations of Gibraltar, had contributed to raise the Spirits of this nation from that gloom, in which the Capture of Statia Essequebo and Demerara had plunged them. I did not then conceive it possible that I should be...
10Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 15 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters arrived in the absence of Mr. Adams who is gone as far as Portsmouth, little thinking of your plot against him. O Sir you who are possessd of Sensibility, and a tender Heart, how could you contrive to rob me of all my happiness? I can forgive Mr. Geary because he is a Stranger to domestick felicity and knows no tenderer attachment than that which he feel s for his Country, tho I...
11From George Washington to James Lovell, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 23d of last month, and feel myself much indebted to you for the information it contains. Be assured Sir I am fully persuaded that no intelligence on your part will be withheld, that may be considered as essential or assisting in the discharge of the duties of my station. I am happy to learn, that the supplies for the army from France are to be relied...
12From John Adams to James Lovell, 21 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
In one of your late Letters, you hope that a Treaty with Spain, will Soon be made. I wish I knew your Intelligence, which is undoubtedly better than mine: I have suspected, for I can call it no more than suspicion, that Spain intended to wait untill the Negotiation for Peace. In another you Say, you should be easier in your Mind, if I were in Europe, when you consider what Negotiations are...
13Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 14 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour by General Ward was not deliverd me till this day or I should have replied to it by the last post; the Generous acknowledgement of having tran s gressed forbids any further recrimination even tho I had more than the Right of a Friend. The serious part of your Letter drew a tear from the Eye of Portia. She wished for ability she wished for power to make happy the Man who so richly...
14From John Adams to James Lovell, 6 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 12 Oct. We have received, by which We learn that foreign affairs were under Consideration. Mr. D. had wrote on 14 Sept. that they were then under Consideration. From the Time taken We have reason to Expect they will be well digested. There are great Expectations here among the interested. Mr. D and others have written in a manner which makes it expected that one will be left alone...
15Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 18 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter from my Dear absent Friend the day before he saild dated on Board the Frigate he informd me that the Evening before he received a Letter from his much Esteemed Friend Mr. L ovel l in which he complained that “Portia did not write to him.” Could Portia have given a greater proof of the high value she placed upon his Friendship and correspondence she would not have withheld her hand....
16From George Washington to James Lovell, 29 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 24th and 26th instants. The latter by Mr de Francy, who delivered me the several things mentioned in Mr Penets letter. You have my thanks for you care in forwarding them. Several accounts corroborate the probability of the evacuation of Rhode Island, and a number of Men are embarked at New York. I have not the least doubt but they are meant to reinforce Genl...
17From John Adams to James Lovell, 6 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Favours of 14 and 18 Novr. I received together, this Evening. I thank you, for your obliging Remembrance of me, and for your entertaining Anecdotes. Is there not Ground of Suspicion, that the Standards, Trophys, and other things, are concealed among, the Officers Baggage? But by the Convention Burgoignes Honour is to be relyed on, that nothing improper Shall be So concealed. A broken...
18From John Adams to James Lovell, 29 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
The States of the Province of Friesland, have come to a Resolution, that it was certain that Byland was not the Aggressor, but that Fielding, had not hesitated, to make Use of Force to visit the dutch Ships under Convoy, to stop those that were found loaded with Hemp, and to insult the Flagg of the Republic. That this Proceeding shows, that the Complaisance hitherto employed towards England,...
19From John Adams to James Lovell, 6 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, this Morning, by several Hands and at other Times during the last Week, Several of your Favours. I will endeavour to acknowledge each if I can but if I should mistake in my Hurry and omit, one or two I hope you will excuse it. One of Jany 1. one of Jany. 17. one of Jany 21. one of Jany. 20. with their Enclosures. I will, do all I can to ensure a Passage for the Resolution of...
20Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 15 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Do you know a Man by the Name of More What is his character? I have never replied to your favour of october 9th. I felt a reluctance at writing. Yet I love your Letters when they are not too sausy, or do not border upon what I never will pardon or forgive. I cannot withdraw my esteem from the writter, yet if his Friends do not tell him how much his character suffers, they do not act the part...
21From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 13 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress Immediately on the Receipt of your respected Letter of May 9. I wrote to a Friend in London, to supply Messrs. Curson & Gouverneur with what Money they might have occasion for: and he writes to me that he has accordingly made them the Offer. Their Liberty is not at present obtainable. I should be very glad if I had it in my Power to...
22From John Adams to James Lovell, 3 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I Suffer So much Uneasiness, on Account of the State of Things here, that I cannot fail to communicate my Anxieties, so to some one in Congress, which you may We are very much Straightened for Funds, and you send Us no supplies, and yet you draw upon Us, from America from the West Indies, and from many other Quarters. We are continually exposed to the Insolen Reproaches, and the Insolence of...
23From George Washington to James Lovell, 4 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours inclosing a packet for the Honble Mr Morris, which I shall forward by the first safe conveyance. I have the honor to be Sir yr most obt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
24From John Adams to James Lovell, 25 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Joshua Johnson, is a Merchant settled with his Lady and Family at Nantes. I was honoured with many of his Civilities in that City, and with a good deal of his Conversation. He is a sensible genteel Man has a good Character, and I believe is as well qualified, for the service you mention as any Man American now in Europe: His affections sentiments and Acquaintances are, supposed to be on a...
25Abigail Adams to James Lovell?, 10 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have not had the pleasure of a line from you since your arrival in Philadelphia, but I have had the satisfaction of hearing from abroad and finding that the situation of my Friend was not so dissagreable as I feard. You have had publick dispatches and probable private Letters. Have you not some intelligence which you may communicate? There is not a prospect of peace I think. Thus my Friend...
26Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 13 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed I return according to your direction a duplicate Number of the journals. Number 29 is missing. I do not fully understand you when you say that I must not keep any of the pages 78. Do you mean that I must return them to you or forward them to Mr. Adams. I have no journals left but part of 75 and 76. All that Mr. Adams could find or procure of a later date he took with him; I read the...
27Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 17 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your very polite favour was handed me this Evening. I esteem myself much obliged for the enclosed plan, but I cannot describe to you the distress and agitation which the reception of your Letter threw me into. It was some time before I could get resolution to open it, and when I had opend it I dared not read it. Ten thousand horrid Ideas rushd upon my Soul. I thought it would announce to me...
28From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 2 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: National Archives, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I duly received your several Favours of Augt 15 & Sept. 7. with the Resolves of Congress for drawing on me Bills extraordinary to the Amount of near 300 thousand Dollars. To keep up the Credit of Congress, I had already engag’d for those drawn on Mr Lawrens. You cannot conceive how much these...
29From George Washington to James Lovell, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 30th May inclosing [a] List of the French Officers who came over in the Amphitrite, with the Ranks which they are to bear. I have stated to Congress some difficulties that will arise upon granting them Rank from the Dates of their french Commissions. They will by these means supersede all our own Officers of equal Rank whose Commissions, upon the new establishmt of the...
30Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It was not till the last week in Febry. that your favour of Janry. 8th reachd me. I had waited the arrival of each post with impatience but was so repeatedly dissapointed that I almost gave up my correspondent even in the way of Friendship. I struck up of the list of Galantry some time ago. It is a character in my mind very unbefitting a senator notwithstanding the Authority of Chesterfeild...
31Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 30 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I have so often troubled you with my fears tis a debt I owe your patience to communicate to you my happiness. To a Heart so susceptible as the person I address I need not discribe the joy I experienced this day in receiving Letters from my dear absent Friend informing me of his Safety and Health. He arrived at Beaudeaux the begining of April and reachd Paris the 8th, but I know not what...
32From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 22 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives, American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library I received your Favour of May 15. and was glad to find that mine of Decr. 21. had come to hand. Mr. Deanes Brother writes that it was not signed, which was an accidental Omission. Mr. Deane himself is I hope with you long before this time, and I doubt not but every...
33From John Adams to James Lovell, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of Octr. 14, and 19, are received. The Exposé des Motifs, is indeed news to me. I dislike, the Experiment, as much as you, and am equally happy, the offer did not suc was rejected. Mr. Jay, will find no Embarrassment, I presume, for Spain has all along furnished Mr. Lee with Money, in very considerable sums, and will continue it, I doubt not to the Minister. But I shall have precarious...
34George Washington to James Lovell, 4 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 4, 1777. Discusses the qualifications of Lutterloh. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lovell was a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress. Major Henry Emanuel Lutterloh who was employed in the quartermaster’s department.
35From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress I received a few Days since, via Eustatia & Holland the Triplicates of your several Favours of Dec 8. Jan. 29. and Feb. 8. The preceding Copies of the same Dates never came to hand. I thank you very much for the News-Papers, tho’ the Disputes...
36Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 18 – 26 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
Do you love the Natural sentiments of the Heart Take them then as they flow from the pen of Portia. Having been to take a ride this afternoon upon my return stopt at my Brother Cranchs when one of the family came to the chaise and told me a Gentleman from Boston had left a large packet for me in the House. My Heart bounded for joy—I besought him to deliver them Instantly to me. The Bulk of the...
37From John Adams to James Lovell, 24 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
I cannot omit this opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt of your kind Favours of 27 or 28 Novr. I Say one or the other of those days, because although the Letter has no date yet it Says it was written on the Day when a certain Commission was voted me, and both the Commissions are dated the 27, altho the Copy of the Resolution of Congress by which I was appointed is dated the 28. I should...
38Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 12 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
I cannot swallow your prohibition with a good grace and yet I am glad I know the real cause of Marias Silence to my repeated invitation. On one account I could have wished that the Letter containing the conference between Portia and Cornelia might not have been com municated. Portia is loth that Maria should be witness to the freedom of her pen least unknowing to all the circumstances which...
39Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 17 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was much gratified at again receiving a few lines from you, tho very Laconick. I wrote you about ten days since by a Mr. Brown, who came in the Alliance and brought Letters from my Friend to congress and to some of his Friends which he put into the post office, but they must be of an old date, as he was waiting near four months for the Sailing of the Alliance. Such conduct with regard to one...
40From John Adams to James Lovell, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 9 July 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:148–149 . Adams announced the arrival of dispatches from the congress, including the ratified Franco-American treaties and letters from Lovell. He commented on the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and France and the relative...
41From George Washington to James Lovell, 6 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by the Comunication you have been pleased to make me in your Favr of 21st ulto. My Secretary has taken a Copy of the Cyphers—& by help of one of the Alphabets has been able to decipher one paragraph of a Letter lately intercepted going from Ld Cornwallis to sir Hry Clinton. Your letter in Genl Greene will be forwarded by a good Opportunity by which I expect to write tomorrow....
42From John Adams to James Lovell, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 10 July is before me. Mr. Searle and every other Gentleman that you recommend to me, shall be treated with all the respect possible. I hope to see him but fear it will not be soon. I hope you will send Mr. Laurens here Minister Plenipotentiary. We have not shewn so much Attention and Respect to this Republick as it deserves, or as their Interest and ours requires. A Minister here,...
43Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 24 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of May the Second came last Evening to Hand, and is the only line received from you since the 21 of March. Former puntiality lead s me to fear the miscarriage of my Letters, but a multiplicity of publick avocations may easily account for omissions where nothing very important calld for a reply. In Letters from Paris received by the Marquis, Mr. A dam s requests me to write you upon...
44From 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...
45Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 20 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
In truth Friend thou art a Queer Being—laugh where I must, be candid where I can.—Your pictures are Hogarths. I shall find you out by and by—I will not Build upon other peoples judgements. My philosopher (I like the Name exceedingly) used to say I was a physiognomist. I have tried not unsuccessfully to find out the Heart of many a one by the countanance. I do not recollect that I ever had that...
46From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; copy: Yale University Library I see in a Vote of Congress shown me by Capt. Franval, that Mr. Deane is disown’d in some of his Agreements with Officers. I, who am upon the Spot, and know the infinite Difficulty of resisting the powerful Solicitations here of Great Men, who if disobliged might have it in their Power to...
47From John Adams to James Lovell, 26 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of May 16 and 25 by Captain Barnes reached me Yesterday. These with those by Niles from Connecticut and those by the Saratoga from Baltimore are all that I have received from you or from any Body at Congress, which gives me Pain, because your other Letters must have miscarried, and I hold your Letters in so high Esteem that I cannot be willing to loose one. The Robbery of Folgiers...
48Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 13 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by the last post with a freedom which perhaps you may think I had no right to make use of. I was stimulated to it by many severe speaches that I had heard, and from not knowing myself what to say in paliation of my Friend. All former excuses were worn out by time and tho I do not believe the hard things I have heard, I think he ought to suffer any temporary inconvenience which a...
49From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives (two); AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives The foregoing is a Copy of my last. I have now before me your several Favours therein mentioned, viz of June 13. July 9 & 16. and Augt. 6. I received the Journals of Congress from Jany. 1st. to June 12. which you took care to send me: But the Vols 1. & 2d which you mention...
50Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 28 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of july 16 this moment received the contents of which have awakend in my Bosom the anxiety which had before almost subsided. By a Letter dated some time in june which you must before this time have received you have found that I had similar inteligance to what you have communicated. But I was strangely puzled, I knew not what to think. I had never received a hint of the kind from...