3301VIII. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 13 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
It has been often observed by me, and it cannot be too often repeated, that Colonization is Casus omissus at common law. There is no such title known in that law. By common law, I mean that system of customs, written and unwritten, which was known and in force in England, in the time of king Richard the first. This continued to be the case, down to the reign of Elizabeth and king James the...
3302XI. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 10 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
The cases of Wales and Ireland are not yet exhausted. They afford such irrefragable proofs, that there is a distinction between the crown and realm, and that a country may be annexed and subject to the former, and not the latter, that they ought to be thoroughly studied and understood. The more these cases, as well as those of Chester, Durham, Jersey, Guernsey, Calais, Gascoine, Guienne, &c....
3303XIII. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, April 1775 (Adams Papers)
Another Clause in the Charter, quoted by this Writer, contains the Power “to make Laws and ordinancies, for the good and Welfare of the said Company, and for the Government and ordering of the Said Lands and Plantations and the People inhabiting the Same; So as such Laws and Ordinances be not contrary or repugnant to the Laws and Statutes of this our Realm of England.” This is the usual Clause...
3304I. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 23 January 1775 (Adams Papers)
A Writer, under the signature of Massachusettensis, has addressed you, in a series of papers, on the great national subject of the present quarrel between the British administration and the colonies. As I have not in my possession, more than one of his Essays, and that is in the Gazette of December 26, I will take the liberty, in the spirit of candor and decency, to bespeak your attention,...
3305III. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
The history of the Tories, begun in my last, will be interrupted for some time: but it shall be reassumed, and minutely related, in some future papers. Massachusettensis, who shall now be pursued, in his own serpentine path, in his first paper, complains, that the press is not free, that a party has gained the ascendency so far as to become the licencers of it; by playing off the resentment of...
3306V. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 20 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
We are at length arrived at the paper, on which I made a few strictures, some weeks ago: these I shall not repeat, but proceed to consider the other part of it. We are told “It is an universal truth, that he that would excite a rebellion, is at heart, as great a tyrant as ever weilded the iron rod of oppression.” Be it so: We are not exciting a rebellion. Opposition, nay open, avowed...
3307VIII. (cont.). To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 20 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
Wales was a little portion of the island of Great-Britain, which the Saxons were never able to conquer. The Britons had reserved this tract of land to themselves and subsisted wholly by pasturage, among their mountains. Their princes however, during the Norman period, and untill the reign of king Edward the first, did homage to the crown of England, as their feudal sovereign, in the same...
3308VII. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 6 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
Our rhetorical magician, in his paper of January the 9th continues to wheedle. “You want nothing but to know the true state of facts, to rectify whatever is amiss.” He becomes an advocate for the poor of Boston! Is for making great allowance for the whigs. “The whigs are too valuable a part of the community to lose. He would not draw down the vengeance of Great Britain. He shall become an...
3309X. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 3 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave now to descend from these general matters, to Massachusettensis. He says “Ireland who has perhaps the greatest possible subordinate legislature, and send no members to the British parliament, is bound by its acts, when expressly named.” But if we are to consider what ought to be, as well as what is, why should Ireland have the greatest possible subordinate legislature? Is Ireland...
3310XII. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 17 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
We now come to Jersey and Guernsey, which Massachusettensis says “are no part of the realm of England, nor are they represented in parliament, but are subject to its authority.” A little knowledge of this subject will do us no harm, and as soon as we shall acquire it, we shall be satisfied, how these islands came to be subject to the authority of parliament. It is either upon the principle...
3311The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 22 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have just now the Honour of a Lettre from M. De Sartine dated the 19, which We suppose is his Excellencys Ultimatum concerning your Effects taken in the Nile, and We therefore take the earliest opportunity to inclose you a Copy of it that you may be able to take your Measures in Consequence of it, in which We...
3312John Adams and Arthur Lee to Ralph Izard, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We had the Honour of your Letter of Yesterdays date, on the same Day, informing Us of your having drawn a Bill upon Us, for five hundred Louis D’ors. We have the Honour to inform you that the Bill, being presented to Us, was accepted the same day by, Sir your most obedient &c BF , opposed to...
3313From John Adams to Ralph Izard, 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure of yours of the 28th, and agree with you in Sentiment that if the Money which has heretofore been Squandred upon Articles of Luxury, could for the future be applied to discharge our national Debt, it would be a great Felicity. But is it certain that it will? Will not the national Debt itself, be the Means, at least a Temptation to continue if not increase the Luxury? It is...
3314The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 10 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society As soon as the Commissioners to this Court shall have completed any Treaties here and it is in their Power to communicate them, you may depend on their Readiness to comply with your Request. And whenever you shall think proper to appoint a Meeting for the purpose of conferring with them on the other Points mention’d in the Letter you honour’d them...
3315The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 26 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Last Evening We had the Honour of an answer from the Comte de Vergennes to our Letter respecting your Goods. We inclose a Copy of it to you and believe it will be adviseable for you to wait on Mr. de Sartine. Perhaps he may not at first recollect the Article of the Treaty, as Mr. De Vergennes appears not to have done....
3316The Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 25 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour of your Letter of this Days Date, and shall give the earliest Attention to its Contents. We apprehend their would be no Impropriety at all, in your Application, to his Excellency, the Count de Vergennes, concerning the Subject of a Loan in Genoa, and We wish that you would apply. As We wish, however, to do every Thing in our Power to procure you Success, We shall do...
3317From John Adams to Ralph Izard, 20 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
You have once or twice mentioned to me, in Conversation, certain Expressions in the Treaty, relative to the Fishery, on the Banks of Newfoundland, which you apprehend, may be hereafter liable to different Constructions, and become the subject of Controversy, if not the Cause of War, but as it is very posible I may not have perfectly comprehended your Meaning, I should be much obliged to you if...
3318The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 25[–27] August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (three), South Carolina Historical Society; two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, August 25[–27], 1778: We will propose tomorrow to the count de Vergennes the subjects of the loan in Genoa and the interposition of His Majesty with the powers of Barbary. P.S.: The count de Vergennes gave us no encouragement in the...
3319The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 13 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have the Honour of enclosing to you a Copy of M. de Sartines Answer to our Application in Support of your Demand of your Baggage taken on Board the Nile. We have agreable to your last Letter written again to Mr. De Sartine requesting him to Stop the Sale of the Things till you can make your Objections to their being...
3320From John Adams to Andrew Jackson, 16 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the session of the Senate for Executive Business should be continued, and that the members thereof should convene on Tuesday the seventeenth day of July instant; you are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber in Philadelphia on that day, at ten OClock in the forenoon, then and there to receive and deliberate on such communications as...
3321From John Adams to Daniel Jackson, 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Whenever you shall receive by the orders of the Gov. of this State the possession and command of castle Island you will observe the signals and salutes which have been heretofore used under the government of the State untill you shall receive instructions from the Secretary at War. I am Sir your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3322From John Adams to Daniel Jackson, 23 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The firewards of the town of Boston have requested permission to deposit at castle Island a quantity of Gunpowder now lying in the harbor of Boston and more that is soon expected to arrive. As I can foresee no material inconvenience from granting from such permission. I request that you would give orders that for such gun powder as the firewards shall desire to be deposited at the castle, at...
3323From John Adams to David Jackson, 8 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have Just Received from your son—your Obliging Letter of this Days Date In Which as Secretary of the Corporation of the first Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia you inform me of their kind offer to me of the Pew No. 92 in their Church for the Accommodation of my Self and my Family and that I may begin to use it next Sunday. I Pray you Sir to Present my best Respects to the Corporation and...
3324From John Adams to Francis James Jackson, 19 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
I am greatly obliged to you for your most interesting letter of October 16th—My honble and excellent friend Mr Quincy and the the other gentleman you mention—were too strong in their expressions—I never attributed to you alone the Salvation of my House—I have often said, & now say again that three Cercumstances contributed to the event which without one spree of superstition in my...
3325From John Adams to Isaac H. Jackson, 21 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have no Remembrance of the “Address to a Provincial Bashans” I should conjecture that Governor Bernard was meant by the Bashans. The Author I know not. It is possible it might be Doctor Benjamin Church. It might be from One of Several Other Poets of that Age. But it never Attracted the Attention / of your humble Servant OClWHi .
3326From John Adams to John Jackson, 30 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
In 1774, I became acquainted with MacKean, Rodney, and Henry. Those three appeared to me to see more clearly to the End of the Biussiness than any others of the whole body. At least, they were more candid and explicit with me than any others. Mr. Henry was in Congress only in 1774, and a small part of 1775. He was called home by his State, to take care a military Command. mackean Rodney...
3327John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 1 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
This day I receiv’d, your kind Letter of the 27 of April, with the two Letters. I left England in January, to get some money in Holland to discharge Bills to a very large Amount, drawn at a Venture the like of which will not, I hope be repeated.— I have been here Since that time and shall go probably in three or four Weeks for Paris, where it would give me great Pleasure to see you. I can give...
3328From John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 17 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Upon my Arrival here, I found, M r Jay, in very delicate Health, in the midst of great affairs and without a Clerk. He told me, he had Scarcely Strength to draw up a State of the Negotiation hitherto, but that he must do it, for Congress. I offered him the Assistance which M r Thaxter could afford him, in Copying, which he accepted. M r Jay as well as D r Franklin and myself, are exceedingly...
3329John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 15 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Day before Yesterday, M r Bingham arrived and delivered me the Extracts, for which I am obliged to you, they coincide with many other Letters and much other Evidence. There is no Commission or Instruction, in Europe, to negotiate any Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. There is only a general Instruction to “meet the Advances and encourage the Disposition of the Commercial Powers of...
3330From John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 1 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged to you for your Kind Letter, and to M r Higginson for his and intend to answer both very particularly, but my time is so taken up at present with preparing Papers for Algiers and Morroco that I cannot spare a moment for anything elce. M r Higginsons Letter Shews him to be a great Master of the subject, but there are some things in it, which must be handled here with...
3331From John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
In one of your Letters you Suppose that I have an open avowed Contempt of all Rank, give me leave to say you are much mistaken in my sentiments.— There are Times, and I have seen many Such when a Man’s Duty to his Country demands of him the Sacrifice of his Rank, as well as his Fortune and his Life, but this must be an Epocha, and for an Object worthy of the Sacrifice.— In ordinary Times the...
3332From John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 2 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have long had it in contemplation to pay my Respects to you, but a wandering Life and various avocations have hitherto prevented. I am very happy to find that our Labours in Convention, were not in vain. The Constitution as finished by the Convention and accepted by the People, is publishing in all the publick Papers of Europe, the Report of the Committee having been published before. Both...
3333From John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of this day. Col Dawes has declined his appointment—if you can suggest to me a proper person to fill his place, I shall be much obliged to you. Cannot the other commissioners meet & go on till a successor can be appointed to Mr. Dawes? I know of no man so fit, but he is a freeman, & cannot be compelled to serve.—I shall be at all times glad to see you. your friend...
3334John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 18 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour by M r West. I am of your opinion that the present Commission will never go to London, & am Still more convinced than you seem to be, that we should do nothing if we were to go, it would be too noisy and Showy an event and would excite an obstinate and marked opposition that would terrify administration. let us not however be deceived by appearances nor discouraged...
3335John Adams to William Jackson, 20 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter, Sir, of the 26 Ult. I received last night, and should have been astonished at its date and Contents if I had not seen yours to Mr. De Neufville, of the same date, which he received three days before. I had ever taken Mr. Gillon, for a Man of Honour, drawn insensibly into difficulties by a Train of Disappointments: but I cannot reconcile his Conduct upon this occasion.—But it is to...
3336From John Adams to Joshua Thomas, 20 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
Nothing could afford me, more pleasure than to visit my Friends in Plymouth (where I formerly so much delighted to reside) on the 22d instant, according to your polite and obliging Invitation: but various circumstances will oblige me to denay myself that gratification. I feel a well grounded conviction that the best principles of sure great and glorious Ancestors, are inherited by a large...
3337John Adams to William Jackson, 14 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last night I had the Honour of your Favour of 26 of October and congratulate you on your Arrival at Bilbao and your agreable Prospect of a Passage to America. I thank you sir, for your kind Attention to my Son, and wish you to take him home with you. Mr. Guardoqui will be so good as to furnish Charles with Stores, and draw upon me. What can be done with the Continental Property I know not,...
3338From John Adams to Isaac LeBaron, 8 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
This Address from the most ancient Settlement in New England, where, in the earlier Part of my Life, I passed so much of my time, and with so much Satisfaction; gives me great Pleasure. I trust, We all still wish success to the French, in the Establishment of a Constitution of Government founded on the broad Basis of equal Laws and political happiness. But the system for enacting and executing...
3339John Adams to William Jackson, 1 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received yours of the 12 Novr. and am very sorry to find, that you were not likely to sail as you expected. My dear Mrs. Adams has heard that Charles is coming home in Gillon and has a Thousand Anxieties about him which will increase every Moment untill his Arrival, but when We trust ourselves to Winds and Waves We must be patient under their Caprices. I thank you for the good...
3340From John Adams to Alexander Jardine, 1 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I take the opportunity by General Mansell to acknowledge the receipt of your polite letter of the 29 of May 1789 and to present you my thanks for the valuable present of your entertaining travels. Your compliments upon so hasty a production as my book are very flattering. It would give me pleasure to pursue the subject through all the known governments, and to correct or rather new make the...
3341From John Adams to William Charles Jarvis, 8 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of February 17—and for the valuable volume called the Republican— Not long ago I read a volume upon political Economey by Senator Tracy translated from the French by Mr Jefferson And very lately I have read another volume of thoughts upon Political Economy by Daniel Raymond Esqre. Counsellor at Law Baltimore with still more delight, and satisfaction—your volume...
3342From John Adams to John Jay, 30 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the fourth of october, I have had the Honour to receive, and have dispatched the Resolution inclosed in it to Paris to go from thence to Spain: but I hope M r Lamb is already on his Passage for America. The Commotions in New England, will terminate in additional Strength to Government, and therefore they do not allarm me I have lately received from Lord Carmarthen officially the...
3343From John Adams to John Jay, 11 October 1788 (Adams Papers)
The multiplied Cares attending the Removal of a Family, from one Country to another; and beginning a new Course of Life or resuming an old one, after an interruption of fourteen years; must be my apology, if any apology is neccessary, for having omitted, till this time, to Solicit the final Settlement of my Accounts, with the United States.— As M r Barclay has, for many years, had the...
3344To John Jay from John Adams, 13 February 1784 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d a Letter from M r . Gerry, at Phil a 23 Nov. Thaxter arrived there the night before, I presume he has written by M r Reed, and that his Letter is gone to You, as he probably addressed the Letter to Us all. M r Morris has drawn afresh by this Vessell. Let me beg of you and the D r , to advise him to Stop his Hand. If I can possibly, save those already drawn, which however I still...
3345John Adams to John Jay, 15 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
I venture to address myself to you as Minister of foreign Affairs, because I Sincerely hope you have accepted that important Office. The Emperor of Morocco, Sent an Abassador last Winter to Holland to demand Materials for some Frigates, and as none of the great Maritime Powers, have the Courage or the Will to refuse Such Requisitions, obtained them. it now appeas probable, that they have been...
3346To John Jay from John Adams, 30 November 1787 (Jay Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose the Kings speech at the Opening of Parliament as it has been transmitted to me from the Marquis of Carmarthen: and the Morning Chronicle of the 28, which contains, not the debates for there were none, but the Panegyricks upon it. I have long Seen Sir, in Silent astonishment and Grief the negligent and imprudent Conduct of a deceased French Minister of foreign...
3347To John Jay from John Adams, 8 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
In executing the Instructions of Congress of the Seventh of March last, as well as all former Orders, which concern the Court of Great Britain, the Ministry will no doubt find my Commission and Letter of Credence Sufficient Authority. But you will See by a Letter from the Duke of Dorsett, which your Ministers here sometime since transmitted, that the British Cabinet have conceived doubts,...
3348From John Adams to John Jay, 15 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I shall not always stand upon Ceremonies, nor wait for Answers to Letters, because useful Hints may be given, which would be lost if one were to wait Returns of Posts. The British Channel Fleet is reckoned this Year at from thirty to thirty seven Ships of the Line, but it is well known that they depend upon Seamen to be pressed from their first West India Fleet, in order to make up this...
3349From John Adams to John Jay, 13 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Comission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Marattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, vizt. Sa Majesté Britannique...
3350From John Adams to John Jay, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The States General have chosen Mr Brantzen Minister to negotiate for Peace. Yesterday he did me the honour to dine with me. He is represented to me to be a good Man and well fixed in the true System. I have very authentic Information that his Instructions will be such as France and America as well as his own Country ought to wish them. I have Letters from Boston 17 June —grand Rejoicings on...