3301[Tuesday August 27. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday August 27. 1776. A Letter of the 23d from General Mercer, was read and referred to the Board of War. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration; whereupon Resolved. See the several Resolutions in the Journal. The Committee to whom the Letter from Colonel Wilson was referred brought in a Report, which was taken into Consideration; whereupon Congress came to...
3302From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 23 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved, and heard read Collo. Troups letter to Judge Livingston of the 23d Jan. 1822. You need not wish for a More rigorous, a more able, or a more spirited vindication of your claim to the first suggestion of the Canal policy in New York; and of Genl. Schuylers sagacious patriotism, in adopting, and supporting your Ideas in the Ligeslature. You have both great merit but still I think...
3303To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 31 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you my young Friend Mr. Alexander Edwards of South Carolina, a modest and amiable young Gentleman who came particularly recommended to me, and whom I have found by Several Months Acquaintance to merit every Attention and Encouragement. I am, my dear Sir yours most affectionately, RC ( DLC ).
33041774. Saturday. Septr. 3. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Dr. Shippens. Dr. Witherspoon was there. Coll. R. H. Lee lodges there. He is a masterly Man. This Mr. Lee is a Brother of the Sherriff of London, and of Dr. Arthur Lee, and of Mrs. Shippen. They are all sensible, and deep thinkers. Lee is for making the Repeal of every Revenue Law, the Boston Port Bill, the Bill for altering the Massachusetts Constitution, and the Quebec Bill,...
3305John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
This is King Tammany’s Day. Tammany was an Indian King, of this Part of the Continent, when Mr. Penn first came here. His Court was in this Town. He was friendly to Mr. Penn and very serviceable to him. He lived here among the first settlers for some Time and untill old Age and at last was burnt. Some say he lived here with Mr. Penn when he first came here, and upon Mr. Pens Return he heard of...
3306From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
There is not a day nor an hour in which my Thoughts are not employed about you and your Family: But though my Wishes are for your return, I dare not advise you: because I cannot Satisfy myself what you ought to do. Indeed I See not how you can return. Through France or England, from Sweeden or Russia? The loss of your Child has deeply affected me. I Sympathize with you and my daughter under...
3307From John Adams to John Jay, 23 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Copies of two Protests of Bills of Exchange, received from the Board of Treasury. They are Duplicates. another Sett of Copies I have before transmitted to that Board, to whom these Duplicates will no doubt be referred. Inclosed also are Copies of Letters from the Commissioners of Loans at Amsterdam, which render it neccessary for me, to go to Amsterdam. I Shall Sett off, on Fryday...
3308From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 20, 18 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 18 March, 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 329–332). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:557–558. The first two-thirds of the letter, which was read in Congress on 22 July, was taken from the Gazette d’Amsterdam and included almost...
3309John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Chaumont has just informed me of a Vessell bound to Boston: but I am reduced to such a Moment of Time, that I can only inform you that I am well, and inclose a few Lines from Johnny, to let you know that he is so. I have ordered the Things you desired, to be sent you, but I will not yet say by what Conveyance, for fear of Accidents. If human Nature could be made happy by any Thing...
3310John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for presenting a Barrell of Flour to my Mother, and wish you to do every Thing for her Comfort, that lies in your Power. My Duty to her.— Ames is not here nor is any other Vessell bound to Boston. We shall send more Flour as soon as there is Opportunity. I am glad to hear that at length after 5 or 6 Years meditation you have made your Visit to M rs Miller and M rs Vezey. I am...
3311From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 25 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of 26 June. Your Phylanthropic sentiments are very agreeable to me: but remember they are no more than Terinus “Homo Sum ” and that was only a Translation from the still more ancient Greek of Menander. The English and American Republicans must not flatter themselves that they have discovered any thing new. All their “Liberty Equality and Fraternity” is summarily...
3312From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 3, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Errand of Mr. Cumberland to Madrid, is a mere finesse of the British Ministry, intended to aid the Stockjobbers, keep up the Stocks, aid the Loan and the Canvas for an Election, and lull the belligerent Powers, while they prepare their measures for future Enterprizes and another Campaign. They have carried this Plot so far, that I see some paragraphs in the foreign Papers, which seem...
3313[Notes of Debates in the Senate on the Residence Bill] Sept. 22. 1789. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Grayson. No Census yet taken, by which the Center of Population— We have Markets, Archives, Houses, Lodgings.—Extreamly hurt at what has passed in the House of Rep resentative s. The Money. Is your Army paid? Virginia offered £100,000. towards the federal Buildings. The Buildings may be erected without Expence to the Union. Lands may be granted—these Lands laid out in Lots and sold to...
3314From John Adams to United States Senate, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
An Address so respectful and affectionate as this from Gentlemen of such Experience and established Character in public Affairs, high Stations in the Government of their Country, and great Consideration in their Several States, as the Senators of The United States, will do me great honour and afford me a firm Support, wherever it Shall be known, both at home and abroad. Their generous...
3315[June 2. Tuesday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, and found it deserted, the Court being gone to Marli....We went to Marli, met the Count de Vergennes and did some Business with him, then went to Mr. De Sartine and after doing some business dined with him. His Lady was at home and dined with the Company. The Prince de Monbarry Montbarey , then Secretary of War, dined there. After dinner went to the Spanish Ambassadors, the...
3316From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 10 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Proceedings, of late in the British Parliament, I think abundantly prove, that the British Troops will evacuate N. York and Charlestown, and go to Quebeck Hallifax and the West India Islands provided they can escape in the Course of the ensuing Summer. It cannot be a Question, with any Sensible Man, whether it will cost most Time, Blood and Treasure to France and Spain to take them all...
3317From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 17 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the Sixteenth instant I received last night by Mr Fynje. In order to give as general Satisfaction As may be and in order to bring this Business to a Conclusion, I shall agree to the Terms proposed in it, with the following Explanation and alteration, which are indespensibly necessary. The Explanation is this, that my “Promise to open no other Loan at any other House or Houses in...
3318From John Adams to George Washington, 29 August 1790 (Adams Papers)
That New Orleans, and the Spanish Posts on the Missisippi, will be among the first attempts of the English, in case of a war with Spain, appears very probable: and that a combined operation from Detroit, would be convenient to that end cannot be doubted. The Consequences, on the western Settlements, on the commerce with the West Indies, and on the general Security and tranquility of the...
3319From John Adams to William Temple Franklin, 7 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I duly recieved your favour of the 6th of November, and ought to have acknowledged it before. I am glad to find by his Excellency’s late Letter, that his Health has returned. The Gout I fancy has done the Business of a Physician, and laid the foundation for fine Health and Spirits, for the ensuing dull Winter. I could wish for the Gout too, or any thing else, to make the Scene agreable to me,...
332015 Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Charming Weather. A.M. staid at home reading the Independent Whig. Very often Shepherds that are hired, to take care of their Masters sheep, go about their own Concern’s and leave the flock to the Care of their Dog. So Byshops, who are appointed to oversee the flock of Christ, take the Fees themslves, but leave the Drudgery to their Dogs, alias i.e. curates and understrappers. [Thomas Gordon...
3321From John Adams to John Taylor, 12 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
By a great favour and a mere Accident, I have lately obtained for a few hours, the loan of A Volume, by Arator, which has interested me So much that I have an earnest desire to purchase it: but know not where to apply for it. I am informed it is your Work, and as I really think it is the most valuable Treasure of Agricultural and horticultural Knowledge that has yet been given by any...
3322From John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 29 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased with your letters, to your Parents and to your Sisters, as well as those to me, and I advice you to write as many as you can, but have a care not to write in too much haste, acquire a habit of care and attention not only to the beauty and distinctness and legibility of your hand writing but to the correctness of your Grammar, spelling and even punctuation by this habit, you...
3323From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 17 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
You will naturally enquire, whether the Neutral Powers will continue their Neutrality, or whether the Neutral Confederacy will be broken? No certain Answer can be given to these Questions. We must content ourselves with probabilities, which are strong for the Continuance of the Neutrality. Who indeed should break it? The Emperor was thought to be the most unlikely Potentate to accede to it;...
3324[Tuesday September 3. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday September 3. 1776. General Sullivan, having reduced to Writing the verbal message from Lord Howe, the same was read as follows: “The following is the purport of the message of Lord Howe to Congress by General Sullivan. That, though he could not at present treat with Congress as such, yet he was very desirous of having a Conference, with some of the members, whom he would consider for...
3325From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 9 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencies Letter of the 12. of January I have had the Honour to receive, and am much obliged to you for the Information in it Your Opinion of the Policy of this Country, will be found in the Result of Things to be just, and your Reasoning in Support of it is so conclusive and at the Sametime, so obvious, that it is astonishing it has not its Effect upon the Cabinet. Every Consideration...
3326From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
I am glad to know by your favour of the 23d of November, that you have received two Letters from me, since which I have written a third and this is No. 4. As I keep no Copies, you must either burn them or keep them very carefully to yourself. I will Number them, that We may know whether all are received. Whatever Reflections or Opinions you may receive from me, you will consider them as...
3327From John Adams to John Marshall, 18 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received last night & have read this morning the copy of your letter to Mr. King inclosed in your favor of the 9th. I know not how the subject could have been better digested. An idea has occurred to me, which I wish you would consider. Ought not something to be said to Mr. King about the other board, that I mean in London. We understand it no doubt all along, that those commissioners are to...
3328From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
I still breathe in great weakness, but in my latest breath I shall wish for your health and prosperity and that of all your family. As to giving you advice concerning your concerns at Harvard University—I am utterly incapable of it. The conduct of that beloved and venerated Seminary is too refined and sublime for my dullness to comprehend. I presume not to censure any of its acts, though some...
3329From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 20 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Cares, Sorrows, Misfortunes, and Infirmities have prevented an earlier Acknowledgment of your favour of June 10th. There are no better Maxims for a Student or a man of Business than “ Festine lente ” and “ One thing at a time .” “Six or Seven hours” are quite enough. According to Lord Coke, “ Sex horas Somno, totidem des legibus equis ” Six are enough for Study but not enough for Sleep....
3330From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 16 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter and Power to Mr Jones who did me the favour last year at the request of my Son to receive for me a Quarters Salary, which I beg the favour of you to deliver him and at the same time to give him a Warrant, that he may remit the Money to me by a Post Note. The Treaty opperates in Boston like the Hogsheads of Lime which I am putting under Earth and Weeds and Mud and Straw to...
3331From John Adams to John Breckinridge, 30 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
It appearing to me proper and necessary for the public service that the Senate of the United States should be convened on Wednesday, the 4th of March next, you are desired to attend in the Chamber of the Senate on that day at 10 OClock in the fore-noon, to receive and act upon any communications, which the President of the United States may then lay before you, touching their interests, and to...
3332From John Adams to Edward Everett, 11 February 1826 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your request, I am directed by the President to return the enclosed letter. As relates to the Letter of General Lafayette, it is his intention to address you as soon as a moment of leisure will permit. Your’s very respectfully MHi : Edward Everett Papers.
33335 Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home, Mr. Barnes dined here, drank Tea, and spent the evening at Coll. Chandlers. The ambiguous punctuation of the MS has been retained. JA probably intended a full stop after “dined here.”
3334From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 28 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
This is Commencement Day, at Harvard Colledge or in more magnificent Language at The University at Cambridge . But whether you call it Colledge or University, I hope you will one day Study there and take your Degrees there. I have recd your Letter of June 23d. Charles! have you left your Genius frozen in Russia? You was celebrated in Petersburg, and from thence in America, as a Smart Boy. This...
3335[March 5. Thursday 1778.] (Adams Papers)
March 5. Thursday 1778. This morning We had the pleasantest prospect We had yet seen. An easy breeze from the Southward, gave Us an Opportunity of keeping our true course. With a soft, clear, warm Air, a fair Sun and no Sea, We had a great number of Sails spread, and went at the rate of nine Knots; yet the Ship had no perceptible motion and made no noise. My little Son was very proud of his...
3336To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 20 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to save you the trouble and Expence of purchasing Horses and Carriages, which will not be necessary, I have to inform you that I shall leave in the stables of the United States seven Horses and two Carriages with Harness the Property of the United States. These may not be suitable for you: but they will certainly save you a considerable Expence as they belong to the studd of the...
33371770. Monday Feby. 26. or Thereabouts. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Weymouth. Stoppd at my House, Veseys Blacksmith shop, my Brothers, my Mothers, and Robinsons. These 5 Stops took up the day. When I came into Town, I saw a vast Collection of People, near Liberty Tree—enquired and found the funeral of the Child, lately kil’d by Richardson was to be attended. Went into Mr. Rowes, and wanned me, and then went out with him to the Funeral, a vast Number...
3338John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
Mobs are the trite Topick of Declamation and Invective, among all the ministerial People, far and near. They are grown universally learned in the Nature, Tendency and Consequences of them, and very eloquent and pathetic in descanting upon them. They are Sources of all kinds of Evils, Vices, and Crimes, they say. They give Rise to Prophaneness, Intemperance, Thefts, Robberies, Murders, and...
3339From John Adams to Charles Lee, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is my design to remain here, and at New york, till the day of the Meeting of Congress, or at least within a few days of it.— You will oblige me by giving me your Opinion whether the Epidemical Distemper in Philadelphia, is so dangerous to the Lives or health of the Members as to render a Proclamation necessary to convene Congress at some other place; and by committing to Writing and...
3340[Wednesday April 24.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday April 24. Thomas Heywood Heyward Junr. Esqr. a new Member from Carolina, and an excellent one, appeared in Congress from South Carolina. On him We could always depend for sound Measures, though he seldom spoke in public. Thomas Lynch Junr. Esqr. also appeared. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, but came to no resolutions.
3341From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
According to your request in your favor of 24th June, I return to you the commission for Timothy Newman to be a master commandant in the navy MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3342From John Adams to Stephen Jones, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and considered your your elegant Address of the 10th. of August. Although you reside in a remote Part of the United States it is very manifest you have not been inattentive or indifferent Spectators of the dangerous Encroachment of a foreign Nation. You are of Opinion that no Connection with the present Governors of that Nation or their Agents ought to be Sought, or desired....
3343From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 24 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
As we have amused ourselves with looking at a few pictures, suppose we should add one more to the Gallery. The Artist makes the scene of his action that spacious Apartment that we very properly denominated Fanuel Hall. The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Judges, the Counsellors, the Representatives, the President and Professors & Students of the University; the Docters of Law, Physic, &...
3344John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Church setts off, tomorrow Morning. I have sent this Morning by Mr. William Winthrop, about half a dozen Letters containing Papers &c. Have nothing new to write. We have been very busily engaged for 4 or 5 days in procuring Assistance for Boston. Congress has at last voted three Additional Battallions for Boston and that the five old ones be filled up, and We shall send you a Major General...
3345From John Adams to United States Congress, 20 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Law of the United States of the third of March 1797, entitled “an Act authorizing an expenditure, and making an appropriation, for the prosecution of the Claims of certain Citizens of the United States for property captured by the Belligerent Powers,” I submit to Congress the account exhibited to me, by the Secretary of State, with his report of the seventeenth of this...
3346From John Adams to Gabriel de Sartine, 6 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Sensible intending to Sail in a few Days, it is my Duty to embrace the Opportunity of acknowledging my Obligations to his Majesty and to your Excellency, for the Favour of a Passage, in this Frigate, which was rendered the more honourable and agreable to me, by the Company of his Excellency the Chevalier De la Luzerne and Mr. Marbois, two Characters that I have every Reason to believe,...
3347John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 January 1777; 18 January 1777 (Adams Papers)
After a March like that of Hannibal over the Alps We arrived last Night at this Place, Where We found the Utmost Difficulty to get Forage for our Horses, and Lodgings for ourselves, and at last were indebted to the Hospitality of a private Gentleman Coll. Brinkhoff Brinckerhoff , who very kindly cared for Us. We came from Hartford through Farmington, Southington, Waterbury, Woodbury, New...
3348[December 9. 1779. Thursday.] (Adams Papers)
December 9. 1779. Thursday. Went on Shore with all my Family, and took Lodgings. Dined with the Spanish Lieutenant General of the Marine with twenty four French and Spanish Officers. Don Joseph, though an old Officer had a great deal of Vivacity and good humour as well as Hospitality. The difference between the Faces and Airs of the French and Spanish Officers was more obvious and striking...
3349From John Adams to William Cranch, 18 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Mr Robert Denison an English Gentleman from Nottingham in England proposes to visit the City of Washington. If you can shew him the City, or any other Attentions you will oblige me. He belongs to a wealthy and worthy Family of Dissenters, who have it in contemplation to fly from Persecution He is recommended to be by one of the most benevolent Men in England. I am, my / Dear Sir Sincerely...
3350From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr Strong recommending Job Strong Jun. to be an ensign & another from Joseph Hosmer recommending many for places in the eventual army. Mr. Strong recommendation, you know to be very respectable, not meaning any disparagement to Mr. Hosmer. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.