2301To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 5 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
When I was Advised of your Arrival at Corunia I had the Pleasing hopes that Your Destination Was the Court of Madrid and Accordingly porposed myself the happiness of Paying you my devoirs there in the month of Aprile. I Also Presumed on taking the Liberty of Writing My Banker in that City Messr. Peter Casamayor & Co. to Make you a Tender of their Services in my Behalf, and to Supply you with...
2302To John Adams from Jacques Felix & Fils, 21 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Quioque Je n’aïe Eu qu’une Seule fois L’honneur de Rencontrer votre Exelence chés Monsieur Luzac (Redacteur de La Gazette françoise de cette ville), que j’ay celui davoir pour ami depuis 38 ans. Je prie votre Exelence d’avoir pour agreable que je prene La Lib erté de Vous adresser La presente pour Temoigner a Votre Ex: La Satisfaction particuliere que Jai Ressentie come Habitant Né a...
2303Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have this afternoon had the pleasure of receiving your Letter by your Friends Mr. Collins and Kaighn and an English Gentle man his Name I do not remember. It was next to seeing my dearest Friend. Mr. Collins could tell me more perticuliarly about you and your Health than I have been able to hear since you left me. I rejoice in his account of your better Health, and of your spirits, tho he...
2304Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 13 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
Itt is sometime since any of your friends have had a line from you though many Vessells have Arrived from France by which conveyance they have been expecting letters from you. There has been Three frigates with money, some for the Congress, and Cloathing. The Marquis Lafaett that had a quantity of Cloathing is supposd to have founderd. We have been very much troubeld on Our Eastern Coast and...
2305From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12[–16] October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 4th. Instant. I have never known a Peace made, even the most advantageous, that was not censured as inadequate, and the Makers condemn’d as injudicious or corrupt. Blessed are the Peacemakers , is I suppose to be understood in the other World: for in this they are more frequently...
2306To John Adams from James Warren, 11 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you several days ago, and wrote in a hurry, Expecting the Generals Express would be along before I could finish, but he has been detained, and am told will be on his Journey this Morning. I was much Chagrined Last Evening when setting under a Tree by the Bridge Fessenden rode up from Philadelphia without a Single Letter for me. He says you Complain that you have no Letters. I have...
2307To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 18 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I sit down to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellencys two Letters; one by the Post this day and the other by the preceding Mail. The New periodical Work, which I received this day is exceedingly well written and will I doubt not by your Excellencys Assistance and direction be soon turned to the Essential Service of our Country. L’Avocat Calkoens Defence of the Magistrates of Amsterdam is...
2308To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 22 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I write to you in Hast and Confidence—and beg you to conceal me when I speak with Freedom of Men and Things. After many Reports that Burgoyne and his Army were Prisoners of War, we have this Day receiv’d the Articles agreed on between him and our General. Perhaps I may be mistaken, but my Joy is damp’d by the Concessions G ates has made, considering how totally Burgoyne was in our Power. He...
2309François Adriaan Van der Kemp to John Adams: A Translation, 5 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having received several expressions of your Excellency’s friendship and esteem during your stay in Leyden, I flatter myself now that it will not be disagreeable for you to receive proof of my confidence in our friendship. It is a solicitation sir! I hope that it will not appear to you to be rash, because it is made by a friend; a man of talent, with profound and erudite judgment, and with the...
2310To John Adams from James Warren, 19 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Haveing Already wrote you pretty largely by Capt. Samson, this is only to Inform you that two days ago Arrived here one Mr. Mitchel with a Load of English Goods from London. This seems to be a prevailing and Encreasing Object of Commerce. One Arrived in the Spring. Little Notice was taken of it. Four More Vessels are said to be on their way here. It is certain there is one and Mr. Duncan is in...
2311To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 8 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
On my return from the circuit a few days ago I was honoured with your letter of the 20th. Septemr. last, and proud to find that I was not forgotten by one I so much esteem. You must have had your difficulties in these times, I know, I too have had my full share of the anxieties cares and troubles attending the present war. For sometime I was obliged to act as President of the Delaware State...
2312To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of 2d. instant, in which you desire to know if I think there is room to hope that our Legislators will pass such Laws as will apply the money hitherto spent in articles of Luxury, towards the discharge of the National Debt; or “that the People have, or can be persuaded to acquire those qualities which are necessary to execute such Laws.” It is with the greatest...
2313Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Whenever any difficulty encompasses me, my first thought is how would my Friend conduct in this affair. I wish to know what his mind would be and then to act agreable to it. If I err in my conduct it is an error of the judgement, not of the Heart. Wholy deprived of your aid, and even advice in domestick occurences, my next resource is in that of my Friends. My present difficulty arrises from...
2314Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening Received yours of March 8. I must confess my self in fault that I did not write sooner to you, but I was in continual Expectation that some important event would take place and give me a subject worth writing upon. Before this reaches you I immagine you will have Received two Letters from me; the last I closed this Day week; since that time there has been some movements amongst...
2315To John Adams from Francis Dana, 1 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letters of our Friend, of the 12th. and 14th. of last Month, the Resolution of Congress of the 12th. together with the journals of Congress for Septr. and Octr. and a number of News papers down to the 19th. Decr. came to hand yesterday eveng. These, all together, wou’d make a large budget to no good purpose, I have cut out of the papers, every peice of intelligence of which, I...
2316C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 12 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is not the expected post, but rather a letter dated the 19th of last December O.S. that has arrived from the plenipotentiaries at St. Petersburg, announcing that the Empress was satisfied with the situation; that she has seen the last two British memorials presented by Sir Joseph Yorke to Their High Mightinesses and is more indignant than surprised by them; that the convention would be...
2317To John Adams from Thomas Crafts Jr., 16 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I ever thought thare was such a Thing as sincere friendship, and that some perticular Persons, with whom I had long been Intemate with And had made such great professions of it to me where possese’d with It. But I had given up the very Idea of such a thing, for the last three Months, and was become a perfect Infidel, Till yesterday Col. Warren shew me a Letter from you to him in which you...
2318To John Adams from Francis Dana, 25 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
By the time this comes to your hands I hope you will have received a letter from your Son from Stockholm, as I charged him to write you without fail from thence. I had one from him dated Helsingfors Nov r: 8 th. N. Stile advising me of his arrival there the day before, and that he shou’d set off on the 9 th. for Abo the Town in Finland from whence they embark to cross the Haf for Stockholm. I...
2319To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
Mr. D’Asp me com̃uniqua hier 3 Lettres qu’on lui écrit de Stockholm, Elseneur & Gothembourg, par lesquelles Mr. votre fils avoit quitté Stockholm le 30 Dec. pour Gothembourg, d’où il étoit parti le 11 fev r. pour Coppenhague, où il comptoit rejoindre le jeune Comte de Grecco Capitaine au service du Duc de Modene, avec lequel il avoit fait le voyage de Petersbourg à Stockholm, afin de continuer...
2320To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honorée vôtre du 25e., dont le contenu m’a fait grand plaisir, non seulement par l’approbation que vous donnez de vous adresser de temps en temps des Lettres pour le Congrès, mais aussi par l’entretien agréable que m’ont procuré les matieres interessantes dont elle est remplie. Il faudra attendre, que la prise des vaisseaux des Indes Anglois près du Cap de B. E., par l’Escadre...
2321To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 26 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’espere que Vous avez reçu toute mes précédentes, que j’ai adressées selon les directions que Mr. Thaxter m’a données de votre part; & qu’il a aussi reçu les siennes que j’ai envoyées à lui-même pour lui & pour Mr. Storer. Je suppose aussi que vous avez reçu la Médaille de Mr. Holtzhey, dont un Exprès de Mr. le Duc de la V. étoit chargé de ma part pour vous, pendant que vous étiez encore en...
2322John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 8 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
This morning Arrived the Privateer Schooner Success—Attwood Master from Virginia. She left Cheasapeak Bay 13 July. The Captains inteligence consists that the ninth Comte d’Estaing saild from the Bay for New York remained in the Bay five French Frigates. Some English Prisoners are brought in here taken by American Privateers their enlargement or detention is optional in the Captures no claim...
2323To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 2 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd your Excellencys Letters of the 22d and 26th of last Month, I find myself much honord by both. I took the Liberty of writing to you on the 24th inclosing therein News Paper from England. The Paper receivd was sent immediately to be made as public as possible. The Benevolence of Spain and the Gratitude of America cannot be made too public; they will shew the ground of Union is...
2324To John Adams from Isaac Foster, 7 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
As nothing worthy your Attention has occurred since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Philadelphia except what you must have had from better Authority, I need rather appologize for troubling you with this, than for not having sooner improved your kind invitation of writing to you; when I left Philadelphia I hoped for an Oppurtunity of visiting Boston, but the Enemy begining to move I have...
2325To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 11 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I obeyed your Excellencys Commands most Litterally when I wrote to Mr L. to which I have this day receivd the following Answer. “When you write next to my good Friend Mr Adams I beg you would assure Him from the moment I receivd Intelligence of that Anonymous Scrip, I treated it with the Utmost Contempt and Abhorrence, I replied to the Gentleman, who transmitted it to me in the following words...
2326To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been long waiting for an opportunity to communicate some intelligence worthy of your notice, but nothing very important has taken place since you left the Camp; and every action with the Enemy has been published in the Newspapers, which has superseded the necessity of communicating those events by Letter. The general face of our public affairs both civil and military appear much as they...
2327To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 6 – 12 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of your Letter of the 20th of August. Agreeable to your desire have inclosed a Return of the Continental armed Vessels fitted out in this State. If the two grateful Brothers should pay us a visit, I will omit nothing in my power to give them a reception suitable to their gratitude. And if they should not bring too much Company with them I should be glad to wait on them. I...
2328Elbridge Gerry to Samuel and John Adams, 21 – 22 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have been fully employed since Thursday Noon in obtaining some Knowledge of the State of the Army and conferring with the different Corps of Officers from the General to the Field officers, and have the pleasure to inform You that they appear to be in high Spirits for Action and agree in Sentiments that the Men’s as firm and determined as they wish them to be, having in View since the...
2329To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 26 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
If ever Wisdom Fortitude Patience & Perseverance were necessary, they were peculiarly so in the late Negociations in which You have been engaged. I thank Heaven for the large Display of these Virtues You have given and for the Success with which Your Labours have been crowned— I had long feared the Machinations of ——— fortunately for America her Negociators knew her Interest and they have...
2330To John Adams from Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 14 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I forbore asking You any Questions on your Return from Staten Island, as there were a Number of People about us; but would beg Leave to suggest the good Policy of making that Transaction publick, for the Sake of such People as yet long for Reconciliation. I fear we have too strong a Proof of those People’s Prevalence in our State, from the Manner in which the great Offices have been disposed...
2331To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 24 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few lines on the 18th and 22d Instants chiefly to inform you the news of those days, but as they were forwarded by the usual conveyance of Post (my not knowing you were then in Holland) I suppose they will not get to hand earlier than this letter; which is born by a particular friend Mr. Saml. Hartley a relation of D. Hartleys. He is a considerable Merchant of this place and goes...
2332To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is so important to let you know that the late change in the British Ministry and the conciliating measures they propose have occasioned no alteration in the sentiments of people here, that tho’ I am too much hurried, (this conveyance going sooner than was intended,) to take particular notice of the letters we have received from you, and which remain unanswered, yet I cannot but avail myself...
2333To John Adams from Unknown, 9 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
The great Character he hath heard of you, induces a private Man to offer to your Consideration the following Hints, with an Assurance, that your Regard for your Country, will improve upon them for the general Good of all America. When one Colony is declared to be in actual Rebellion, when all the others are anounced to be accessary to, and Favourers of that Rebellion, when the Sword is drawn,...
2334Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 22 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your esteemed favors of the 29th. Ulto. and 6th Inst. now before and in Answer say I shall att all times be willing to communicate my sentiments or give any intelligence, that may tend to the public good.—As to Boston I think when the works are compleated the enemy will never attempt coming that way, but as soon As that is compleated hope there will be some way found to keep the ships from...
2335To John Adams from Nicolas Maurice Gellée, 11 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I hope this Letter will reach you safe at Home amongst your Family and Friends. Supposing you are no less famish’d for News from this Side of the Atlantic than we are for American ones, I’ll tell you the State of Affairs in Europe is almost the same as when you left it. Spain, tho’ she is declared, four Months ago, seems as yet unconcerned about your Independance. The joint Fleets of France...
2336Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday received your long lookt favor being the Only One I have received for two Years. I dont know that I am intitled to any particular Notice, more than many of your friends but thought I might claim some share. I received a letter from Mdm. the Widow Chabenel incloseing some letters to be forwarded to her relations att the southward. Billey lately returnd from Philadelphia were he saw...
2337To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 19 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Letter for M r Dana you will open & peruse—it may possibly contain information that may be of use to you which it will be unnecessary to repeat here— I mentioned in my last M r Jefferson’s appointment, I have the pleasure of adding now that I have received an account from him of his acceptance of the place— He will be here in the course of ten or twelve days & sail with Count de...
2338To John Adams from William Gordon, 1 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is almost too late to congratulate you upon our regaining Boston; but I may give you joy of our not having as yet relost it. We ought by this time to have had the harbour fortified so strongly, that a fleet could not have ventured in to have insulted the town, without paying dear for it: but there has been strange not-doings. You will ask me, who is to blame? Should I answer without...
2339Bartholomé Wild to John Adams: A Translation, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your friend, Mr. Ceresier, asked me to send you some political pamphlets on current affairs, and here they are: 3 Destin de l’Amerique 8° à 16 Stvrs: F 2. 8 1 Tableau historique des Provinces Unies 12°. 6 vol. 9. 16 1 Advocaat pour et Contre 8° . 11 1 Lettres Hollandoise 4 T et T 5 No. 1 à 9. 24. 6 1 observation et Suitte 2 parties 8° 1. 5 1 Reponce aux memoires de York . 4
2340Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
You know not How dissapointed I was to Night when the Post came in and I received no Letter from You. Tis the first Saturdays post which has come in since I have been in Town without a Letter from you. It has given me more pain to Night than it would any other time, because of some Falce and foolish reports I hope. I will not, more than I can help, give way to rumours which I have no reason to...
2341C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 22 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
From all appearances we will, with Ovid, be able to utter Dicite Io Pæan next Tuesday or Wednesday, that is to say, that our sister Holland, along with our already established sister Friesland, will soon complete the fraternity with the others. Yesterday, the matter of your confirmation was discussed with no debate. Nine cities, Dordrecht, Haarlem, Delft, Leyden, Amsterdam, Gouda, Schoonhoven,...
2342To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 14 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your Excellency’s Favour of the 1st. and 6th Instant. I wrote to you by Mr Barclay, who went from hence some Days since, and I hope is with you by this time, and that he will with your Assistance be able to settle every thing relating to the Goods. I have receiv’d a long Letter from Messrs. Neufville, the Purport of which is, that they are willing for their Parts to deliver the...
2343From Henry Laurens, with Appended Note of John Adams to Richard Cranch, 5 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of Addressing you on the 28th. November and 3d. Ultimo in Official Letters from Congress. My present business is to intreat your protection to the inclosed Packet from Baron Kalb which he intimates to me is intended to be of particular service to these States. You will be pleased either to take it under your immediate care if you intend within a few Weeks to embark for France...
2344To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 29 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am exceedingly happy to hear of your safe arrival, and I hope agreeable accommodation at Paris. At first, I doubt not, the splendid gaity of a magnificent Court, accorded not so well with the temperate manners of a sober Republican. But use reconciles most things. It may soon happen that you be desired to visit Holland, where I believe they yet retain much of that simplicity of manners which...
2345To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 4 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
By a London Newspaper receivd this Day by the way of Margate (for the two last posts are not Arrivd) I find that Tarlton has been defeated by Genl. Morgan near 96. The Congress has published an Account of it, which I suppose the English Ministry will secrete, but it appears by private Letters, that a number of men have been Killed or taken Prisoners. That Tarletons own regiment is almost...
2346To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 6 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have wrote you by Common post the 20th and 28th of last Month, and Capt Cozeneau, whom you know something of, and who goes to Dr. F on the business of the Cartel which He conducted from Boston to Pensance gives me an oppertunity of sending this letter, to gether with the news papers of the day and some pamphlets and papers which may open to you a little of the state of politicks here. I wish...
2347John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 15 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have now been five days in this place since my Arrival from Passy—during which time neither seen nor heard from Lieutenant Simpson. But Mr. Hill, who was last Winter at Passy and who sailed with me from Nantes, informs me truely—that it is generally reported in the Ranger and of course throughout the French Fleet and on Shore—That I am turned out of the Service—and that you Gentlemen, have...
2348To John Adams from William Tudor, 19 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am much oblig’d by your Letter of 6th. Instant and will now attempt in Part to comply with your Request. Things have remaind tolerably quiet between the continental and ministerial Camps for a Week past. The Beginning of last Week a Detachment was sent in the Night to take all the live Stock that was on Long Island. They succeeded and brought away not only all the Quadrupeds but 17 Fellows...
2349To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 3 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
In a letter from Mr. L of the 16th Feby. I find He was good enough to mention me to You and that you gave direction for any letters I might have occasion to write to be forwarded a Mons. Mons. Fernando Raymond San, Nogiciant chez Mons. Hocherau Libraire Pont neuf Paris. I shall be very happy in giving you any information of movements here that may come to my knowlege because in doing so I am...
2350To John Adams from James Lovell, 14 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tho I must refer you as well as Mr. Hancock to what I have written to Mr. S. Adams relative to the Business in Congress, and also omit at present general chit chat of Men Women and Things, yet one little Peice of History which is peculiarly adapted to your improving Fancy I must put down. Mr. Hancock’s Waggoner who went with Mrs. Hancock to Boston, after his Return to Germantown his Home...