31From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 17 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for a very pleasant letter, and I supplicate a continuance of them—I have given up the hopes of seeing the family, or any part of it this Year—but when the Marquis is gone I hope to have letters from your Brother, John, and yourself, which will help to keep up my old spirits a little longer, my heart & wishes and Prayers are with you forever—We have nothing to tell you here but...
32From John Adams to William Tudor, 28 August 1774 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging Letter at New York, and it was peculiarly acceptable to me and my Companions, and of great Use to Us among our Friends at New York. We all intreat the Continuance of your Favours, you can have no Idea of the Pleasure We take, in the Letters of our Friends and especially in yours because the Contents of it were very usefully particular and interesting. The Generals...
33Proclamation on Insurrection in Pennsylvania, 12 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Whereas, combinations to defeat the execution of the law for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses within the United States, have existed in the counties of Northampton, Montgomery, and Bucks, in the State of Pennsylvania, and have proceeded in a manner subversive of the just authority of the government, by misrepresentations to render the laws odious, be deterring the officers of the...
34Wednesday. May 22. 1771. (Adams Papers)
At Plymouth. Put up at Wetheralls, near the County House—lodged with Mr. Angier, where we had a Chamber wholly to ourselves—very still and retired—very serene and happy. Mrs. Howland and her Family, I hear are very much grieved, and hurt, and concerned about my passing by their House. But my Health is my Excuse of all my Removals. I am not strong enough to bear the Smoke and dirt, and Noise,...
35From John Adams to William R. Williamson, 23 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Address and a Copy of your association, by the Hand of the Speaker Mr Dayton. Your Feelings of the keenest Sensibility on account of the many and deep Wounds which have been inflicted on your Country by the Republic of France, must be approved by the coolest reason of every honest Man and faithful American. The Dedication of yourselves to the service of your Country, in...
36To John Adams from John Adams To Jeremy Belknap, 26 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your favour of the 19 th. and learn with Pleasure your design to pursue your valuable History of New Hampshire. The Anecdote of “Positive Proof from Holland that military Stores, to the amount of 400,000 £ st. were ordered and purchased from N. America,” is wholly unknown to me. that Col Lee of Marblehead ever “rec d or dispersed” any stores I never heard nor that he was...
37From John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 24 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had, by yesterdays Post, the Honour of your Letter of the 15th. instant. I Should esteem it an Honour, and an Happiness, to discharge the friendly Trust of Executor to Mr. Quincys Will, (because I have a great Respect to his Memory and a great Regard for his Family,) if my Situation and Circumstances were such that I could possibly accomplish it, with Advantage to the Interest of the Family....
38Enclosure: Draft of an Article, 23 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is often Said in this Country, “We have nothing to gain by this War.” But who is to gain? If Holland has nothing to gain, it has much to loose, and the Question now is not what is to be gained, but was it to be Saved and defended. This Republick, may loose all her Possessions in the East and West Indies: she may loose her Navigation and Commerce: she may loose her Baltick Trade: her...
39From John Adams to Joseph Delafield, 13 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
In reply to your question, upon what map did the Commissioners trace the boundary line described in the Treaty of 1783—I answer that it was Mitchells map. And to your question, whether by the Long Lake intended by the treaty was meant the Long Lake laid down in Mitchells Map,—I answer, that it was, & that we used no other authority for places named in the description of the boundary line than...
40To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 1 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought not to have neglected so long to write you an account of the delightful visit I received from M r and M rs Cooledge, M rs C— deserves all the high praises I have constantly heard concerning her, She entertained me with accounts of your sentiments of human life, which accorded so perfectly with mine that it gave me great delight—In one point however I could not agree—she said, she had...
41To James Madison from John Adams, 28 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
When my Son departed for Russia, I enjoined upon him to write nothing to me, which he was not willing Should be published in French and English Newspapers. He has very Scrupulously observed the rule. I have been equally reserved in my letters to him: but the Principle on both Sides has been to me a cruel privation, for his correspondence when Absent, and his Conversation when present has been...
42[Thursday October 26. 1775.] (Adams Papers)
On Thursday October 26. 1775. The Subject again brought on the Carpet, and the same discussions repeated, for very little new was produced. After a long discussion in which Mr. John Rutledge, Mr. Ward, Mr. Lee, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Gadsden, Mr. Dyer, and some others had spoken on the same Side with me, Congress resolved that a Committee of five members be appointed to take into Consideration, the...
43From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 27 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have not received a Line, nor heard a Syllable from you Since my Arrival, but I know your incessant Application to things of the first Moment, and therefore presume you have good Reasons. Our Ennemies are Still in a Delirium: and are pleasing themselves with Hopes that Clinton will be more bloody than How. Nothing is so charming to their Imaginations as Blood and Fire. What an Heart must...
44From John Adams to John Singleton Copley, 16 November 1792 (Adams Papers)
Your polite and obliging Favour of April the 10th I duely received at this Place and I pray you to accept of my best Thanks for your very elegant and acceptable Present of a Print of the Death of Lord Chatham, a Masterpiece of the Fine Arts which does as much honour to America which produced the Artist as it does to great Britain which produced the Statesman. Nor am I less Sensible of the...
45John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
I am not surprized at your Anxiety expressed in your Letter of the 25 th. which I rec d Yesterday. The Conduct of certain Mules has been so gloomy and obstinate for five Months past as to threaten the most dangerous Effects. The Proceedings of Boston N. York & Philadelphia now compared with their intemperate folly last July or August is a curious Specimen of Negotians with foreign Courts &...
46From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 30 July 1807 (Adams Papers)
Had I really been disgusted and mortified at my Treatment by Congress which in fact I was not, but was Satisfied as Soon as it was explained to me, the mortification would have been more than compensated by the Commissions I received on the fourth of November, 1779 unquestionably the more confidential Commissions that Congress had ever issued. The Commission to General Washington as Commander...
47From John Adams to Richard Cranch, 12 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your judicious Letter of Oct r. 15. you have described the Causes of the present Evil with Accuracy, and the Cure is equally obvious. I mean a partial Cure— as far as the difficulty arises from Property having been thrown by the Course of the War into Hands, unable to hold it, there is no remedy but time & the Course of Law, in this respect, the present times...
48From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
With Mr. Davis’s report of the 8th I enclose all the papers relative to the complaint of Mr Liston against Capt Laskey & Capt Mugford & am Sir your most obedient I return also Carnots pamphlet. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
49From John Adams to United States Senate, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Situation of Affairs between Some of the Citizens of the United States and the Cherokee Indians, has evinced the Propriety of holding a Treaty with that Nation, for the purpose of extinguishing by Purchase, their Right to certain parcells of Land, and for adjusting and Settling other Points relative to the Safety and Conveniency of our Citizens. With this View and for these Ends I nominate...
50From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 6 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Other parts of your letter of yesterday may be remembered hereafter; but “ Brimborion ” must not be delayed nor trifled with. I shall produce an authority or two. Deletanville’s Dictionary. Brimborion SM. A trifle, A thing of little value. Lallemonts Dictionary. Brimborions. S.M.PL. Bagatelles choses de peu de valeur. Apinæ arum. Crepundia orum Children’s Playthings. Baubles as Bells Rattles....
51Avril 15. Mecredi. (Adams Papers)
Went Yesterday to return the Visits, made me by American Gentlemen. Dined this Day, with Madam Helvetius, one Gentleman, one Lady, Dr. F., his G. Son and myself made the Company—an elegant Dinner. Mm. is a Widow—her Husband was a Man of Learning and wrote several Books. She has erected a Monument to her Husband, a Model of which she has. It is herself, weeping over his Tomb, with this...
52Tuesday May 6. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Jays. Lt. General Mellville, who is here to solicit for the Inhabitants of Tobago, the Continuance of their Assembly and Tryals by Jury, was there.
53From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the warrant for Mr. George Barrell to be a midshipman & inclosed it to his uncle Joseph Barrell Esqr. to be transmitted to him. This in answer to your favor of the 16th. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
54From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 2 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Petition to the Burgomasters and Regents of Amsterdam . The subscribers, all merchants and manufacturers of this city, with all due respect, give to understand, that the difference arisen between the kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America, has not only given occasion for a long and violent war, but that the arms of America have covered themselves with a success so happy,...
55[December 1773] (Adams Papers)
Last Night 3 Cargoes of Bohea Tea were emptied into the Sea. This Morning a Man of War sails. This is the most magnificent Movement of all. There is a Dignity, a Majesty, a Sublimity, in this last Effort of the Patriots, that I greatly admire. The People should never rise, without doing something to be remembered—something notable And striking. This Destruction of the Tea is so bold, so...
56From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 15 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 10th. and the Pamphlet inclosed “American Unitarianism.” I have turned over its Leaves, and found nothing that was not familiarly known to me In the preface, Unitarianism, is represented as only thirty years old in New England. I can testify as a Witness to its old Age. Sixty five years Ago, my own Minister the Reverend Lemuel Briant, Dr Jonathan Mayhew of...
57List of Candidates for Offices, June 1797 (Adams Papers)
1. John Read of the state of Delaware, now resident in Philadelphia, to be the agent of the United States in relation to such claims as may be made against them before the Commissioners appointed to carry into effect the sixth article of the treaty of amity, commerce & navigation between the United States and Great Britain. Collinson Read of Pennsylvania } for the same office. Tephaniah Swift...
58From John Adams to James Warren, 26 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
My Health has lasted much longer, than I expected but at last it fails. The Increasing Heat of the Weather added to incessant application to Business, without any Intermissions of Exercise, has relaxed me, to such a degree that a few Weeks more would totally incapacitate me for any Thing. I must therefore return home. There will be no difficulty, in finding Men Suitable to send here. For my...
59From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 2 January 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hartley’s memorial—June 1, 1783. The proposition which has been made for an universal and unlimited reciprocity of intercourse and commerce between Great Britain and the American United States requires a very serious consideration on the part of Great Britain, for the reasons already stated in a memorial dated May 19, 1783, and for many other reasons, which in the future discussions of the...
60From John Adams to James Warren, 25 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
This Express carries a new Plan of an Army. I hope the General Court without one Moments delay will Send Commissions to whole Corps of their Officers, either by Expresses or Committees to New York and Ticonderoga, that as many Men may be inlisted without delay as possible. It may be best to send a Committee with full Powers to each Place. There is no Time to be lost. I inclose you a sett of...
61May 5. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Am to dine at home—a great Rarity and a great Blessing! At Dinner, alone, my Servant brought me a Letter, A Messieurs, Messieurs, Franklin, Lée, et Adams, Deputés des Etats unies de l’Amerique a Passy. De Vergennes.—I opened, and found it in these Words J’ai pris les ordres du Roy, Messieurs, au Sujet de la presentation de M. Adams votre nouveau Collegue, et Sa Majesté le verra vendredi...
62From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a letter from Mr Jonathan Allen one of our most federal clergymen & a certificate from the medical society of Vermont in favor of Dr Benjamin Walker as a surgeon. Dr Walkers appearance justifies the recommendation. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
63From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the promptitude with which you paid my debt to Mr Gales & Seaton—and discontinued my subscription for the national Intelligencer I beg your Pardon for not answering immediately your letter of the 24th of last Month as I ought—Not being pressed by necessity, I did not draw upon Mr Cruft—Till up he comes with his Lady to make us a very pleasant visit—And tendered me the two...
Gridley. Marriage is of the Law of Nations. Justinian extends it, even to the Brutes. The Court adjudgd at Worcester that a Married Woman could not call herself Spinster. Writ not abated. Kent. I shall not enter into the Right of some Men to enslave others. This Right in some Places seems established. Not indeed a Right to Life, tho this is assumed in West Indies to the shame of human Nature....
65From John Adams to James Madison, 22 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Thank you for your favour of the 12th. The Anecdote mentioned in my Letter of the 4th of September, is of no consequence to the Public, though, it may interest the private Feelings of your Family and mine. Mr Stodert was my Auther. After all possibility of thinking seriously on the Subject was passed, Mr Stodert informed me of the Letter from Mrs Madison to Mr Steel mentioned in mine to you of...
66John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
M r Richard Cooke of Mary land will tell you all the News— I expect to sign the Bills this day which were all passed Yesterday for carrying into E xn. the Treaties with Great Britain Spain Algiers and the Indians— Yesterday seemed a Day of Universal and perpetual Peace foreign & domestic. Tomorrow I go home— Congress will rise by the 20 th. There is much Talk of the Resignation of the P. a...
Meeting with you at a regular Period established by Law, I expected nothing more, than those habitual Expressions of your friendship, which I have, constantly received, as one of your Associates, upon all Such occasions. This elegant Address, therefore, as it was not foreseen, is the more acceptable Coming from Gentlemen whose fame for Science and Literature as well as for every civil and...
68From John Adams to William D. Williamson, 25 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
When the House of Representatives, under the Charter of Charles I “broke out” as Huchinson expresses it, I presume they were chosen by the Towns. I never heard of any Elections by districts before the revolution, except of Registers of deeds and County Treasurers, by Counties, nor by General Ticket except of Governors and Lt Governors and perhaps of Secretaries Under the Charter of W. and...
691771. Saturday June 1st. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Day at Worcester in Riding about with Mr. Putnam to see his Farm. He does what he pleases with Meadows and Rivers of Water. He carries round the Streams wherever he pleases. Took one Ride up to Baggachoag Hill, one Way, and another up the Lane by Doolittles shop, and I found that great Alterations have been made, and many Improvements, in 13 Years, for it is so long since I was in...
70From John Adams to William Cunningham, 22 June 1809 (Adams Papers)
I most sincerely thank you for your excellent letter of the 14th.—It contains an abundance of matter that deserves, and shall have my most serious consideration. But at present I have not time to be serious. I had a delicious laugh with my family. I said nothing till we were all at table at dinner: My wife, my two daughters in law, my niece, Miss Louisa Smith, and my two grand daughters,...
71John Adams to John Quincy Adams, before 8 September 1790 (Adams Papers)
I received with great Pleasure your Letter of the 9 of August, inclosing a Receipt from Mr Parsons for one hundred Pounds lawful Money, which you paid him in the month of August, Second day, in full for your Tuition as a Clerk in his office for the term of three Years. I learned, with Pleasure also, that on the 9 th of August you took Possession of an office in my house, where I wish you more...
72From John Adams to John Marshall, 9 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr Adam Babcock a respectable merchant of Boston whom I have known and esteemed for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Spooner I also know and believe him to merit the character given him by Mr. Babcock. If it should be thought expedient to try a new experiment at negociation with the isle of France I dont believe we shall find a more proper person to conduct it as...
73From John Adams to John V. N. Yates, 31 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am honored this Morning with your favour of the 23d.—That Dr. Frankline while in England corresponded with Mr. Dumas, I very well know from an intimate acquaintance with both of them; that he reccommended a Dutch loan before he left England is improbable because at that time there was no Government or body of Men or individual in America to whom the loan could be named. When Dr. Frankline...
74From John Adams to United States Senate, 21 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Roger Gregory Junior of Virginia to be commissioner of the direct tax &c in the place of Thomas Tinsley who has resigned. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
75John Adams to the president of Congress, 22 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received Sometime Since a Letter from an American Gentleman now in London, a Candidate for Orders, desiring to know, if American Candidates might have Orders from Prostestant Bishops on the Continent, and complaining that he had been refused by the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canturbury, unless he would take the Oaths of Allegiance &c. Meeting Soon afterwards, the Danish Minister...
76John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have all along flattered myself with hopes that I might with Propriety have taken Leave of the Senate and returned home, as soon as the Roads might be settled: But such is the critical State of our public Affairs, and I daily hear Such Doctrines Advanced, and Supported by almost and sometimes quite one half of the Senate, that I shall not prevail on myself to abandon my Post. This Day the...
77From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 10 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Extract from the Register of the resolution of the States General of the United provinces, Friday, the 19th of April, 1782. Deliberated by resumption, upon the address and the ulterior address, made by Mr. Adams, the 4th of May, 1781, and the 9th of January, the current year, to the President of the assembly of their high mightinesses, to present to their high mightinesses his letters of...
78John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have great Satisfaction in your Letter of the 10 th. The Breaking of the Bubble of Banks would be a Blessing if it could teach our People to beware of all other Bubbles. But I fear We shall have a Succession of them. I hope however at least they will teach you caution. “The Rivalries of our most conspicuous Characters” are such as human Nature produces under the Cultivation of such a...
79Declarations of the Suspension of Arms and the Cessation of Hostilities between the United States and Great Britain, 20 … (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 20 January 1783. MS of declarations in French; English translation by John Pintard ( PCC , No. 84, IV, f. 323–330). FC ’s of declarations and Arts. 1 and 22 of the Anglo-French preliminary peace treaty in French ( Adams Papers ). LbC ’s of declarations in French and Arts. 1 and 22 of the Anglo-French preliminary peace treaty in French ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 109. LbC-Tr ’s of...
80From John Adams to United States Senate, 15 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Edward Wyer of Massachusetts to be a Lieutenant in the Navy. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.