511The American Commissioners to Boux, 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have wrote Capt. Nicholson who will procure you a Passage to America and we hope it may be such a one as will be agreable. Inclosed you have a Letter for the Hon’ble the Marine Board which you will send to them and attend their future Orders. Capt. Nicholson will give you notice where to meet him, or the Ship in which you can have a passage. We are...
512From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 29 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
There is a Letter from Dr. Lee, dated Bourdeaux Feb. 20th. which Says that he has a Letter from a confidential Friend which assures him that Ten Thousand Men, were obtained in Germany, and Vessell sent for them. That these with three Thousand British were to come out under Burgoigne. That Boston would certainly be attacked. That Howe would probably move towards Philadelphia. That Ministry...
513From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 16 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is difficult to ascertain with Precision the Designs of the Enemy: But by the best Intelligence We can obtain their Malice and Revenge against New England, is implacable. Their Intentions, most probably, are, to come over the Lakes and enter N. England by that Way, to attack it by the Way of Rhode Island, and also by the Way of the North or the East River. An Armament, may possibly be...
514From John Adams to John Boylston, 5 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Billet of the 6. Feb. and altho I am much obliged by your Care to put me on my Guard, against dangerous Men: Yet I am extreamly Sorry to find, that Slander has been So successfull, as to impose upon you, who I know have no sinister Motive, nor any Thing to byass you; in this Case from the Truth and the Interest of a Country whose Welfare you wish. The “Freres” have been...
515John Adams to John Boylston, 5 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of the 28 June, and thank you for your Congratulations. British Politicks, it is true, are in a Labyrinth. There is never the less, one clue, and but one, which is to acknowledge American Independence, by an express Act of Parliament. This, once done, they would not find it difficult to make Peace. Those who lend Money to the United States of America in this...
516From John Adams to Thomas Boylston, 17 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 23 of December never reached me, till to day. The Souvereignty of the United States of America, is indeed recognized by Great Britain, Holland and France explicitly, and will probably be So Soon by all the Nations of the Earth. Much remains however to be done, I agree with you. To remove all Causes of Disunion and cement the Affections and Confederation of the States, to...
517From John Adams to Herman van Bracht, 15 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday recd. the polite Letter You did me the honor to write me on the 12th. of this Month, together with a very acceptable Present from Mr. Wanner of the second Volume of the Translations of the American Constitutions into the Dutch Language. The Dedication does me great honor in many Respects, but in none more than in placing me in Company with those illustrious Assertors of the Rights...
518From John Adams to Herman van Bracht, 1 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have this Day received, the Letter, you did me, the Honour to write me, on the 26 of Jany. I wish it were in my Power, to send you the inclosed Volume as a Present, but as I am not possessed of any other Copy, and as it is necessary for me, to have it by me, I can only lend it you, for the Time you desire. Be pleased, Sir, to accept my Thanks for your care, in translating, the american...
519From John Adams to Herman van Bracht, 3 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. the Letter which You did me the honor to write me the 30th. of April, with the Volume of American Constitutions. I agree with You, that a Treaty of Commerce between the two Republicks would be a very proper Addition to your Volume, but when such a Treaty shall be made it will not be published perhaps until it is ratified. In all Events it will be but decent for me to wait the...
520From John Adams to John Bradford, 12 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 17 June is before me. I thank you, sir for your kind Congratulations on my safe arrival at Paris. Before this arrives you will have learn’d that War is commenced in Earnest between France and England. Never was a Nation in higher Spirits than the French, or lower than the English. The Events of War, it is true are always uncertain, but there have been few Conjunctions in human...
521The American Commissioners’ Passport for Joseph Waldo and Thomas Brattle, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Boston Public Library Nous Benjamin Franklin, arthur Lée et John adams deputés plenipotentiaires des treize états unis de L’amerique septentrionale pres sa majesté tres chretienne, Prions tous ceux qui sont a prier de vouloir bien laisser passer surement et librement Messieurs Joseph Waldo et Thomas Brattle Ecuyers Americains et Sujets des dits Etats, allant en Angleterre par Calais sans...
522From John Adams to Eliphalet Brush, 26 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favor from Bourdeaux of the 19 th. , I have had the pleasure to recieve, & congratulate You on your successful Voyages. I thank You too for your Care of my Dispatches and kind Attention to me. The Dutch have been induced to make common Cause with Us, but have not yet exerted themselves in it with so much Unanimity & Zeal as might be wished for their own sakes as well as ours— Yet it makes...
523From John Adams to Archibald Bulloch, 1 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Two Days ago I received, your Favour of May 1st. I was greatly disappointed, Sir, in the Information you gave me, that you Should be prevented from revisiting Philadelphia. I had flattered myself with Hopes of your joining Us soon, and not only affording Us the additional Strength of your Abilities and Fortitude, but enjoying the Satisfaction of Seeing a Temper and Conduct here, Somewhat more...
524From John Adams to B. de Cabarrus Jeune, 13 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which you did me, the Honour to write to me, the 8th of this month, and I thank you, sir, for So ready an Answer to my Request, and for so clear, So full and So intelligible an Account, of the Several Sorts of Wines, which go, in general under the Denomination of Bourdeaux. It is a Branch of Knowledge, which like many others, is much wanted in America, where I shall...
52516. To Hendrik Calkoen, 26 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Sixteenth, Inquiry is, “Who looses most by desertion? Do the English and German Deserters, Serve voluntarily and well in the American Army? How, can those who do not enter into the Army subsist?” These Questions, I answer with great Pleasure. There has been, from the Beginning of the War to this day, Scarcely an Example of a native Americans deserting from the Army to the English. There...
52620. To Hendrik Calkoen, 26 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Question 20. Has there not been different opinions in Congress, with Regard to this, (i.e. to Proposals appearing fair, which were not so) from whence Animosities have arisen? There has never been any Difference of Sentiment in Congress, Since the Declaration of Independancy, concerning any Proposals of Reconciliation. There has been no Proposals of Reconciliation made, Since the 4. of July...
52718. To Hendrik Calkoen, 26 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Question 18. Does Sufficient Tranquility, Contentment and Prosperity reign, in those Places where the War does not rage? Can one Sufficiently Subsist there, without feeling the oppression of the Taxes? Does Plenty abound there? Is there more than is necessary for Consumption? Are the People well affected and encouraged to pursue the War, and endure its Calamities, or is there Poverty and...
52822. To Hendrik Calkoen, 27 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Questions 22. and 23. General Monk repaired the Kings Government in England. Might not one American General or another, be able, by discontent or Corruption, to do the Same? Would the Army follow his orders on Such an Occasion? Could one or more Politicians, thro Intrigues undertake the Same, with any hopes of Success, Should even the Army assist him in Such a Case? I have before observed that...
52924. To Hendrik Calkoen, 27 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Question 27. How was the Situation of Manufactures, manual Art and Trade in general, at the Beginning of this War? What Change have they Suffered? Manufactures in general, never flourished in America. They were never attended only by Women and Children who could not work in the Field, and by Men at certain Seasons of the Year, and at certain Intervals of Time when they could not be employed in...
53026. To Hendrik Calkoen, 27 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I believe you will be pleased when I tell you that We are now come to the 29th. and last Question, which is What are the real Damages Sustained, or still to be suffered by the Loss of Charlestown? and what Influence it has had upon the Minds of the People? An Interruption of the Commerce of Indigo and Rice. The Loss of many Negroes which the English will steal from the Plantations, and send to...
5311. To Hendrik Calkoen, 4 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
You desire an exact and authentic Information of the present Situation of American Affairs, with a previous concise Account of their Course before, during and after the Commencement of Hostilities. To give a Stranger an adequate Idea of the Rise and Progress of the Dispute between Great Britain and America, would require much time and many Volumes. It comprizes the History of England, and the...
5323. To Hendrik Calkoen, 6 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Third Proposition is to shew that America, notwithstanding the War, daily increases in Strength and Force.” It is an undoubted Fact that America, daily increases in Strength and Force: but it may not be so easy to prove this to the Satisfaction of an European, who has never been across the Atlantick. However some Things may be brought into Consideration, which may convince, if properly...
5335. To Hendrik Calkoen, 9 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The fifth Enquiry is, whether a voluntary Revolt of any one or more of the States, in the American Confederation is to be apprehended: and, if one or more were to revolt, whether the others would not be able to defend themselves? This is a very judicious and material Question. I conceive that the answer to it is easy, and decisive. There is not the least danger of a voluntary Revolt, of any...
5349. To Hendrik Calkoen, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The ninth question is, how Strong the English Land Force, is in America? How Strong it was at the Beginning? and whether it increases, or diminishes? According to the Estimates laid before Parliament the Army under General How, General Carleton, and General Burgoine, amounted to fifty five Thousand Men, besides, Volunteers, Refugees, Tories, in short all the Recruits raised in Canada, and all...
5357. To Hendrik Calkoen, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your seventh Inquiry is, whether the common People in America, are not inclined, nor would be able to find sufficient means, to frustrate by Force, the good Intentions of the skilful Politicians? In answer to this, it is sufficient to say, that the Commonalty have no need to have recourse to Force, to oppose the Intentions of the skillful: because the Law and the Constitution authorize the...
53611. To Hendrik Calkoen, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your eleventh Question, will give an Opportunity of making Some Observations upon a Subject, that is quite misunderstood, in every Part of Europe. I shall answer it with great Pleasure according to the best of my Information, and with the utmost Candour. The Question is. How great is the present Debt of America? What has she, occasion for yearly, to act defensively? Are those Wants Supplied,...
53713. To Hendrik Calkoen, 26 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your thirteenth Letter Inquiry is, “Of what Resources might America hereafter Still make Use of?” There are many Resources, yet untried, which would certainly be explored, if America Should be driven to the Necessity of them. 1. Luxury prevails in that young Country, not withstanding all the confident assertions of the English concerning their Distress, to a degree, that retrenching this alone...
53815. To Hendrik Calkoen, 26 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your fifteenth Quaere is “Does not the English Army, lay out its Pay, in America? at how much can the Yearly benefit be calculated? Are not the Prisoners, provided for in America? Who has the Care of their Maintenance? How was Burgoines Army supplied?” When the English Army, was in Boston, they bought all that they could, and left considerable Sums there in silver and Gold. So they did at...
53919. To Hendrik Calkoen, 26 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Question 19. Is not Peace very much longed for in America? might not this desire of Peace induce the People to hearken to Proposals appearing very fair, but which really are not So, which the People might be too quick in listening to, and the Government forced to accept? The People, in all Ages and Countries wish for Peace, human Nature does not love War. Yet this does not hinder Nations from...
54017. To Hendrik Calkoen, 26 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Seventeenth, Inquiry is “whether We have any Information that we can rely on, concerning the Population? has it increased or diminished, Since the War?” In some former Letters, I have made Some Observations upon the Subject of the Increase of Mankind in America. In the Year 1774, There was much private Conversation, among the Members of Congress, concerning the Numbers of Souls in every...