1291To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 24 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 16th recd this day. It is a great pleasure to me to find that none of the Gentn. of Congress in the years 1779 & 80 remember any such thing as Dr K has asserted. Our present Govr who was then a delegate says the same—I shall ask Mr Gerry when I see him—& shall wait with as much patience as the nature of the subject will admit for your farther communications....
1292To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 31 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is the Letter of Mr Tucker which I mentioned to you the other day. The good sense & humanity of the writer make a very agreeable impression on my mind but the case appears extremely embarrassed—It is probable that you have resolved it in your mind, & I wish you would impart to me such tho’ts as may occur, for as the Gentleman has condescended to ask my opinion & advice I wish to avail...
1293To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 10 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
By your indulgence in permitting me to ask you any questions, I am emboldened to send you one of my circular letters; by which you may see that I intend to leave no practicable source of information unexplored. If it should be in your power to suggest any thing relative to either of the topics mentioned, I should be happy in receiving the communication. There is another point about which I...
1294To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 30 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I should not have thought of troubling you with the inclosed sermon, if it had not been suggested to me by a friend who heard it that it seemed to be formed on the principles which were advanced in your defence of the American Constitutions & to recommend such Checks and Balances in Ecclesiastical as you had thought necessary in civil Government. If in this view of it, or any other it may be...
1295To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 18 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
It was a very singular pleasure to me to receive a Line from you approving the discourse which I did myself the honor to send to you; the good opinion of such a Gentleman as M r Adams & the very great honor w ch he has done me will not easily be effaced from my remembrance. Not till this Week have I met with the political annals of George Chalmers printed in London 1780 in one Vol 4 to. From...
1296To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 2 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
A regard to the reputation of our Country induces me to address you at this Time. Dr Kippis has published a Life of Capt Cooke the famous navigator and in Vol. ii. p. 268 has given at large the directions issued in March 1779 by Dr Franklin then in France to all commanders of armed Ships in the American service, in case they Should meet Capt Cooke at Sea not to consider him as an Enemy but to...
1297To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 17 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
The pamphlet enclosed with this was left with me for you by one of the owners of the McClary. I will be obliged by your returning Judge Tucker’s Letter respecting the slavery in Virginia, of which I have no Copy. I am Sir with great Respect / yr very hble servt MHi : Adams Papers.
1298To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 20 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
By reason of your unexpected return you have missed receiving, a Letter which I wrote to you when I supposed you to have been at Phila; In it I told you that I was waiting for Mr Chas Thomson’s answer to your Inquiry & as soon as I should receive it, would draw up something & submit it to your Inspection. Will you be so good as to tell me whether you have recd any answer from him, or whether...
1299To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 31 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to congratulate you on your reelection as Vice President of the United States; and to ask your acceptance of a specimen of a monthly publication in wch you will find that your name & those of other American worthies are in future to be inscribed on a map of the Globe Yesterday we had an Academy meeting When Mr Fisher Ames & Dr Barton were chosen members—I enclose to you a...
1300To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 24 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed was left with me by Mr Ledlie to be sent to you, He did not receive it till after he had made his visit to you. I have recd another letter from Mr Tucker of Williamsburg stating the difficulties attending the emancipation of the blacks in Virginia and requesting my advice—The letter is now not in my hands or I would enclose it, When I get it again I will send it to you & shall be...
1301To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 2 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of Jany 23 & Feb 4 enclosing a Certificate from the Secretary’s office & Mr Madison’s answer, with the History of Geneva have been duly recd & I thank you for them; I am now waiting for Mr Thomson’s answer which must be decisive , tho’ enough may be said without it to satisfy every person not excepting Dr Kippis himself. When I shall have recd this I will draw up something & send...
1302To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 15 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I regret that Mr Thomson’s Letter did not come to hand till after the others were printed; but I believe there is enough to prove the misinformation of Dr Kippis. Several copies have been printed separately from the Collections of the Historical Society, three of which I enclose; if you wish for any more, you shall have them. If it be agreeable to you I could wish one may be sent to your Son...
1303To John Adams from Jonathan Bell, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
We the underwritten, composing the Companies of Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry, and others, convened with the said Companies, inhabitants of the town of Rutland, in the western district of the State of Vermont, deprived from the remoteness of our situation, of the privilege of approching you personally, desire, in this manner, gratefully to address you, and subscribe to you our sensibilities...
1304Thomas Bell to the American Commissioners, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sailed from Philad. the 6 of Sept. I Recd. no Letters from the Committe of Congress. The privet Letters I Recd. from Mr. Deane and the Honbl. Richard Henery Lee & Mr. Carmichell as to the dispatches for the Court of France I Recd. them from Monsr. Gerard as to Aney Other Letters I Recd. non— Gentln. I shall Sail Shortly for Philad. If you have Aney...
1305Joseph Belton to the American Commissioners, 17 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Passy, April 17, 1778: I was captured at sea last January en route from Baltimore to Charleston, and imprisoned in England until the Admiralty released me; I then came here needing assistance. You will, I hope, lend me fifteen guineas, which I will repay on my return to America. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 37. Belton had been experimenting...
1306Joseph Belton to the Commissioners, 17 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being unforunately, on a Voyge from Baltimore to Charles Town, in January last, disabled at sea, through stress of Weather, which occasion’d my faling into the hands of Capt. Man, and carried into Dover in England, and sent on Board the guard Ship in the Downs, a Prisoner, from Whence at length I obtaind my liberty by an order from the board of Admiralty, And being in an enimies Countery, and...
1307To John Adams from Joseph Bemis, 11 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Gentlemen of the town of Canton conven’d last evening in order to make an arrangement for the selection of Gentlemen to join the County convention propos’d to be holden at Dedham, the 17th. inst. 9 OClock AM and at Marshe’s Tavern—Having made the aforesd. selection, it was then suggested after honourable mention of your name and appeared to be the unanimous wish of the assemblage that you be...
1308[Jacob Beninghove’s Bill for Tobacco.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams To Jacob Beninghove s d To 1 Carrot pigtail Tobacco 2 6 To 6 lb. Cutt Do. @ 12d per lb. 6 0 To Earthen pott 0 4 8 10 M-Ar : vol. 210; accompanied by a duplicate; neither is receipted.
1309To John Adams from William Bentley, 11 May 1810 (Adams Papers)
I could not refuse myself the pleasure of sending the inclosed view of the Tree in the Endicot Orchard. It is from the pen of a young Female Pupil, belonging to the family in which I live, & from the same person who accompanied me in my journey through Quincy, in the last year; & who was present with me when I took the Grafts of this season, which I sent to you. I add in confirmation, that the...
1310To John Adams from William Bentley, 28 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have the great pleasure of sending you a portion of the Pears, collected from the Endicott Tree. It is an additional pleasure, that among the increasing demands, Capt E. assures me, that this is the only portion spared from the family, & that I have the direction of it. In Gratitude only are our exclusive faverers rich to us, & this gift I intend as the testimony of my grateful recollection...
1311To John Adams from William Bentley, 17 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Having been requested by J Marston Esqr to send to him through your hand, a copy of the Mecklenburg N C. resolutions as printed in the Essex Register, June 5. I have taken the liberty of adding another copy for your own use, as he assured me you had sent your own copy to a friend. With increased affection, / & with the highest reverence of your personal virtues, / & unrivalled public services...
1312To John Adams from William Bentley, 19 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
After I sent my reply to Mr Marston, I received your affectionate Letter of July 15. I am persuaded your indulgent opinion has given my young friend more pleasure, than all the applause of his audience. He has not a friend, who has not seen the extract I gave him. In regard to the North Carolina declaration we have been as much surprised, as any persons who have read it. We searched general &...
1313To John Adams from William Bentley, 16 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to express my gratitude to the first of men, by sending another portion of the Endicott pears from the Oldest tree planted by Europeans in our portion of America, & to add two bottles of wine made last year in Salem by Ladies in my Society from the berries of New England. I am with the highest respect / of your public & private character / your devoted Servant MHi :...
1314To John Adams from William Bentley, 19 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
Captain John Endicott performed yesterday his promise of the Pears. He observed that they were not quite ripe, but in some of them had made demands, from curiosity, endless. The good old man therefore, at fourscore, took a few in his hand, infact that he might give no notice, travelled to my door, & observed, that he had resolved I should not lose the pleasure of sending them to the President...
1315To John Adams from William Bentley, 1 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of Oct. 26, & am happy, if, in any degree, I have satisfied the curiosity, I excited. It would have been a great pleasure, to have been introduced to Mr Adams at Quincy, but I received every attention due to a Stranger in his absence. I took the earliest notice of your Letter, & offered such evidence of the fact; as I immediately recollected; & to which I could instantly...
1316To John Adams from William Bentley, 12 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your letters on the day of our nation’s birth are in consent with the wonderful character you have supported in the best services to your country. Our young orator, Mr Andrew Dunlap, has expressed our gratitude & hopes. He is a son of Harvard, on his mother’s side from our primitive families, a gentleman of the bar, a man of talents & of the best prospects. Permit me to accompany his oration...
1317To John Adams from William Bentley, 14 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
We have received from the Editor of the Raleigh Register an account of the Mecklenburg resolutions. The editor is the Father of the Editor of the National Intelligencer, Joseph Gales. The whole will appear in our next number. I thought it however respectful to you to give you, the most early notice, & to justify the enthusiasm your patriotism had employed on the occasion of such a possible...
1318To John Adams from William Bentley, 22 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter, informing me of the doubts respecting the M ecklenburg . Resolutions. I am persuaded you hold me innocent. I saw the document as represented. I made no use of it, because I know nothing of its authority. At the bottom it was announced to be of known as well as high authority. I have requested my Printer to write to NC on the subject & whatever we hear we will...
1319To John Adams from William Bentley, 10 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I received with great pleasure your request for an explanation of a note left at Quincy. Having been in the habit for many years of receiving from Mr Endicott a portion of the Endicot Pears, & being desirous to honour the man, who above all others, deserved the name of the Father of New England, I concluded, in passing, I should be accepted, if, in the reverence of my heart, I...
1320To John Adams from William Bentley, 11 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
Agreably to your request, I accompanied Capt. John Endicott, senior, above seventy years of age, yesterday to the Pear Tree, & received from the Tree the twigs which I have sent by a careful hand, to be sent directly from Boston to Quincy. Capt Endicott said he had been in two wars for his Country, & to be remembered by Mr Adams, by a respect for his Ancesters, was good to his old age. I trust...