1451The American Commissioners to ——— Berubé de Costentin, 15 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We desire you will allow Mr. Thomas Wilkinson, one of the Prisoners made by the Ranger, and now in your Hospital, to go into the Country for the benefit of his health, on his parole. We are Sir your most obedient Servants Signd The man Schweighauser had put in charge of American vessels and prizes in Brest. See Costentin to BF , Aug. 24. In Arthur Lee’s hand. He had...
1452From John Adams to Hendrik Bicker, 1 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter at Leyden, inclosing the Copy I had the Honour to Send you, and thank you, for your candid Judgment of its Extent and Import. I have now the Honour to inform you, that on my Return to Amsterdam the 25 of Feb. I received a Letter from Congress inclosing another Commission in proper Form, containing full Powers to treat with their High Mightinesses, and to conclude and...
1453From John Adams to Hendrik Bicker, 19 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Questions to me, today, have induced me to communicate to you, in Confidence a Copy of my Commission. You See, that I have not the Title of Ambassador, nor of Minister Plenipotentiary, by Virtue of this Commission, nor have I in express Words, Power to make a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, much less a Treaty of Alliance offensive and defensive. My Power is to negotiate a Loan: but it may...
1454From John Adams to Edward Biddle?, 12 December 1774 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind favour 16. Ulto with great Pleasure last Week at Cambridge. I rejoice at the Proofs your City, has given, of her inflexible Attachment to the public Cause, and Determination to Support it. There are many Names in your List of Committee Men, which I had not the Pleasure of knowing, but there are Abilities, Virtues, and Spirit enough, in those whom I knew very well, to...
1455From John Adams to Barnabas Bidwell, 27 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 16th and thank you for the Information it contains A very little reflection I think must convince a Gentleman of your Information that it would be altogether improper for me to enter into any Conversation or Correspondence relative to the late Changes in Administration. If a President of the United States has not Authority enough to change his own Secretaries, he...
1456From John Adams to Jacob Bigelow, 28 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your Inaugural Oration. It would have been a great pleasure to me, to have heard it: but at my Age, all Such pleasures are forbidden me. The Edinbourgh Reviewers have Said, that, “if the whole of American Litterature were annihilated with the exception perhaps of something of Franklin, the World would loose nothing of the Usefull or agreable.”! These Gentlemen have merited...
1457From John Adams to Tyler Bigelow, 1 February 1824 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your address to the Peace Society. I have heard it with great pleasure It is ingenious eloquent and learned. It shows a fine talent and I always read such benevolent compositions with delight. They always reccommend themselves to the best feeling of my heart—My natural wishes are for their success, but War is a mightier river than Mississippi or La Plata. We may wish it should...
1458John Adams to William Bingham, 10 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Since my Arrival at this Place and indeed Since I left London I have heard no News of M r Jay. will you be so good as to inform me, where he is and what is the State of his Health. As soon as I hear of his Return to Paris I shall have occasion to write to him, perhaps before.— This Place is So out of the Way of all Letters from America, that it will not be expected there, that I am here, So...
1459From John Adams to John Binns, 20 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the Copy of your Declaration, which I have just received and will return by the first Opportunity. I pray you to save yourself the trouble and expence of sending any other Copy to Sir your / humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1460From John Adams to John Binns, 8 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging letter of September 2d. but have not received the Declaration of Independence. it has been lost, or at least retarded in the Post Office—whenever it arrives I will indeavour to send you such remarks as may occour to me.— I have no pretensions to any Critical taste, in any such elaborate and elegant Efforts of the fine Arts.— I am Sir, with much Respect for your...
1461From John Adams to John Binns, 26 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Some Gentleman in Philadelphia, has lately Sent me a polite letter, Subscribed “A Friend,” with a present of a valuable collection of Garden Seeds &c which I have presented to the Mass. Accademy and they to Professor Peck for the Botannical Garden at Cambridge. The Seeds were accompanied with a bundle of political pamphletts, among which was one, which issued from your Press, this year, “An...
1462From John Adams to J.B. Binon, 7 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your polite favour of the 3d: of this month. I am afraid that you are engaged in speculations that will never be profitable to you. The age of sculpture & painting have not yet arrived in this country and I hope it will not arrive very soon. Artists have done what they pleased with my face & eyes head & shoulders, stature & figure and they have made of them monsters as fit for...
1463From John Adams to J.B. Binon, 11 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
To all who may see this letter I certify that I have been acquainted for several years with the barer J B Binon and have found him a Man of letters, taste and sense, very much of a gentleman—and a Manly candid & generous Man—he is eminent in the fine Arts, especially in sculpter and statuary which are his professional occupation, he has been employed in Boston in making many Busts—& in the...
1464From John Adams to J.B. Binon, 11 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter you may show to whom you please—there is not an individual in the havana with whom I have any acquaintance / and am sir you / most obident humble / Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1465From John Adams to Aaron Black, 15 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
On the receipt of your Letter of June 4th. I lost no time I communicating it to your Sister and your Neice. They have written you letters in answers which you will receive with this. Your Brother was my next Neighbour for more than twenty years. We lived in harmony and Friendship. He lived and died esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. His Estate which I understand is encumbered with heavy...
1466From John Adams to Nc., Citizens of Bladen County, 3 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your unanimous resolutions and address of the 10th of Aug, with all the pride & pleasure, which sentiments so just, expressed in a style so dignified & manly, ought to inspire. Every sensible & impartial man in the world, must see & feel with you, that furthur tameness on our part, could not fail to encourage grosser outrages, & must at length sink us in our own esteem. MHi :...
1467From John Adams to Thomas Gaskins, 11 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Address to the President Senate and House of Representatives. Misunderstandings and Differences cannot always be avoided between Individuals or Nations, unless both Parties are sincere and candid. Perhaps not always, even when they are so. Certain partial distinctions, have prevailed to give a Pretext, or rather an Invitation and Encouragement to France to believe that We are...
1468From John Adams to Gilbert Blane, 18 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received but yesterday your obliging note of the 13 of September, with your observations on the diseases of seamen, through the care of Mr. King. I pray you, Sir, to accept of my best thanks for this valuable present. The subject is of high importance to the commercial & political world, & there is scarcely any, in which philosophy & humanity are more deeply interested. The former editions...
1469The American Commissioners to Dumas with a Covering Note and a Draft Letter to the Grand Pensionary, 10 April 1778 … (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): Library of Congress; incomplete LS : New-York Historical Society; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Koninklijk Huisarchief, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two); (II) AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Koninklijk Huisarchief, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (three); (III) AL (draft): Library of Congress;...
1470From John Adams to Pieter van Bleiswyck, 19 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency a Copy of a Memorial to their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces. With the greatest Respect and Consideration, I have the Honour to be, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ). LbC ( Adams Papers ) Signed by JA , this is likely the copy of the letter he...
1471The Commissioners to Pieter van Bleiswyck, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour of acquainting your Excellency, that the United States of North America, being now an Independant Power, and acknowledged as such by this Court, a Treaty of Amity and Commerce is compleated between France and the Said States, of which we shall speedily send your Excellency a Copy, to be communicated if you think proper to their High Mightinesses, for whom, the United States,...
1472From John Adams to Pieter van Bleiswyck, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter, which you did me the honour to write me, on the thirtyeth, inclosing the Resolution of the States of Holland and Westfriesland, of the twenty eighth of this month, upon the subject of my admission to the audience demanded on the fourth of May, and the ninth of January last. I am very sensible of the honour that is done me by this Instance of personal attention to...
1473From John Adams to the Baron Lynden van Blitterswyck, 8 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I take this Opportunity by M r Bingham whom you once Saw at my House at the Hague to congratulate you on your agreable Situation in England as I entertain a pleasing Remembrance of those Social Hours We have heretofore passed together in Paris and the Hague, I cannot but cherrish a Hope of meeting you again in some Part of the World. Two months ago I thought it possible it might be in London...
1474From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 26 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your Directions, I do myself the honor to inclose to you, a List of all the Draughts of money, which have been made by me, whether on a public or private account since the first day of August 1785. Sometime ago, I transmitted to M r. Barclay according to the Resolutions of Congress, all my Accounts up to that Day, —after the Examination he made a settlement of them and...
1475From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 2 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
By Letter I received yesterday fm—Mess rs: Willinks & Van Staphorsts of Amsterdam, I learn with much Concern the misfortune of their associates De la Lande & Fynje, who have stopped payment, indebted to the United States to the amount of one Hundred and twelve Thousand Florins— This House was recommended to me by the best and most judicious Friends of America in Amsterdam, and altho’ my...
1476From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 8 March [i.e. May 1787] (Adams Papers)
on Fryday last I had the Honour of your Letter of the fourth of April with two Bills of Exchange inclosed for Seventy five thousand Florins. rejoiced, at the Prospect of Supporting the Credit of the United States, I went immediately, to M r Ruckers House in Hatton Gardens, in order to present them for Acceptance. But nobody was at home, but a Footman, who told me his Master and the Family were...
1477From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 19 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received the Letter, you did me the honor to write on the 6 th. of April, and to day, your Letter to mess rs. Willinks & C o. inclosing a Bill of exchange was forwarded by Post— As m r. Barclay and M r. Lamb are sett out upon their travels, and we know that the former is arrived at algiers, and the Latter has passed Madrid on his Way to Morocco it is not in my Power to withhold the...
1478The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 11 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 11, 1778: We have received yours of the 5th and wish better health to Captain Ayres. His ship should sail forthwith if it has not already done so. We will honor the draft for the account you enclosed, but you must distinguish the sums advanced to Mr. Adams in a private capacity as well as those...
1479The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 30 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have the Honour of your Letter of the twenty third of this Month,— We are not able to inform you with Precision concerning the Convoy having not received an Answer to our last application to the Ministry on that Subject. Yet We hope that a Convoy will be appointed to Sail forthwith from Nantes. We...
1480The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 25 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 25 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:116 . Replying to Bondfield’s letters of 12 (above) and 17 May (not found), the Commissioners’ letter, drafted by Adams, commended Bondfield for his efforts to keep them informed and asked him to send an account of his disbursements and...
1481The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 4 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, June 4, 1778: We have received your accounts for supplying the Boston ; some of the articles are dear, but we trust you to obtain everything as cheaply as possible. Your bills will be paid, and we hope the ship has left by now. You tell us of a plot against her, and we have forwarded the affidavit to the ministry;...
1482The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 27 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have before us yours of the 23d Inst. and are very sorry that Capt. Ayres is so indisposed as to prevent his return to America in the General Arnold. We wholly refer the appointmt. of a Master for this Vessel to you and Capt. Ayres and doubt not you will find a good Seaman and a person in whom you can confide. We...
1483From John Adams to John Bondfield, 30 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 13 is duely recd: I congratulate you, on Gillons Success and hope that his Prizes, and those he may make hereafter will defray the enormous Expence of that outfit. All his Patience Activity and Perseverance, were necessary, to carry that affair through: and the Cost was immense. I am not able to answer your Question, concerning the fate of a Vessell of yours, which should be carried...
1484From John Adams to John Bondfield, 25 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged by your kind Attention, in your Letter of 22d. April. Clinton has then arrived at Georgia, where he is destined to be as well watched and guarded and finally as compleatly ruined as Burgoyne was at Saratoga or Preston at Rhode Island, and that favorite Child of Fortune Gates is to have the Glory of it all. I am quite easy since I know, he commands. There is an Affection...
1485From John Adams to John Bondfield, 18 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of August 7. with much pleasure, and thank you for the agreable News it contains. The Dutch have at last, Sent off Parker with a Flea in his Ear —pardon a very homely Expression. There is an End, sir, from this Moment of British Tyranny upon the Sea. The Heart and Spirit of the English Navy is certainly broke, and their Skill and Courage gone. They have lost their...
1486From John Adams to John Bondfield, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of 28 of Octr. and am very glad to hear of your Recovery from Sickness. The Non Arrival of the Cloathing, is a great Disappointment and Misfortune in America. The British Ministry are never at a Loss. You see they were very ready to discover how Mr. Laurens was to be treated. They will easily know how to treat Mr. Trumbull and Mr. Tyler. If Americans had understood...
1487From John Adams to John Bondfield, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 3 June 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:126 . Adams acknowledged Bondfield’s letter of 26 May (not found), enclosing an account for expenses of JA ’s party in Bordeaux and the trip to Paris, and approved one for goods shipped to AA . printed: ( JA, Diary and Autobiography...
1488From John Adams to John Bondfield, 31 January 1780 (Adams Papers)
At Bayonne, I had the Honour of yours of the 25. Decr. last, which was delivered me by Mr. Dufour, whom you desired to assist me with whatever I should want particularly with Money. Mr. Dufour politely offered me, Supplies of Cash, and services of any sort in which he could be usefull to me, and I was very sorry that I could not have the Opportunity of forming an Acquaintance with him: but my...
1489From John Adams to John Bondfield, 24 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
This day I had the Pleasure of yours of the 20th. By the arrival of so many Vessells, at Bilbao, Bourdeaux Nantes, L’orient, and Amsterdam, I think We may fairly conclude that the British Vessells of War have other occupations than cruising, and that the Commerce of our Country is opening and extending in an agreable manner. But as these Vessells bring so few Letters to the Politicians I begin...
1490From John Adams to John Bondfield, 2 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have Occasion for a Cask of Bordeaux Wine, of the very best Quality, such as You sent Us, when I was at Passy. I wish You would be so good, as to send it me, as soon as possible, as I am in great distress for want of it, having none, and being able to get none so good for daily Consumption. Your Bill for the Money shall be paid punctually. Another favor I have to ask of You, and that is a...
1491The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 15 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We had this Moment the Pleasure of your Letter of the 10. Instant. You will please to furnish Captain Tucker, all such necessary Provisions for his future Voyage, as he shall require, recommending to him at the same Time, as much Frugality as may consist with the public service. We approve of your Proposal of exchanging the Ballast of Pigg Iron for Anchors as these are much wanted in America....
1492From John Adams to John Bondfield, 25 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you once before this day —but it is necessary I should write again. After sending my french servant, a monstrous number of Times, all over the City after my Wine I can learn nothing of it. Upon looking over the Invoice and your Letters, and showing them to the Abbé’s my friends, they say that my Wine, was sent by a private Waggon, and that that Waggon belongs to a private Person in the...
1493The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 4 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 4 June 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:127 . Replying to letters (not found) from Bondfield of 26 and 30 May, the first enclosing accounts for the purchase of supplies for the Boston , and the second reporting on the conspiracy against the Boston and enclosing an affidavit...
1494From John Adams to John Bondfield, 16 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 15 of May. and take this opportunity to return you my thanks for your polite congratulations. It is now five months within a few days since I entered on the execution of my office: and although I had many apprehensions from the novelty of it, and from my own long habits formed to different scenes of life, in the course of a ten...
1495From John Adams to John Bondfield, 3 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letters of the 17th. 20th. of June as well as that of 20th of May, are unanswered. I hope Soon to receive the Vin de Boisac —please to draw upon me, as soon as you please for, the whole, your Bills shall be paid upon sight. I am very glad that your Application to the Minister succeeded. Have you transmitted those Papers to Congress? Sending them to me, can only convince me of what, I...
1496From John Adams to John Bondfield, 14 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 6 May, from Bourdeaux, I have received. The Negotiations on foot among the maritime neutral powers, are very favourable to America and her Allies, and they ought to convince England, a Posteriori, of which a very simple Proscess of Reasoning a Priori, might have made clear to them, many years ago, on it, that it is the Interest of all the Maritime Powers, to Secure the Independance of...
1497From John Adams to John Bondfield, 7 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received, yesterday yours of 30 of June. As to taking the ships, for the United States, I have no Commission Instructions or other Authority whatsoever, to do any such Thing: and I presume no other Person in Europe has. I hope in God that no ship will ever be again, built, bought, hired, lent or I had almost Said given to the united states in Europe, nor any ever again put under the Command...
1498The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 15 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Passy, April 15, 1778: Please provide Capt. Tucker with the needed provisions and ask him to be as frugal as possible. We approve the suggestion in your letter of the 10th that pig iron be exchanged for anchors, which are much needed. Ship a chest of medicines and slops for the crew and make sure that the men are properly charged for what they receive.>...
1499The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have considered your plan and think it will be proper to send it to Congress for their Approbation. We desire you will purchase and ship on public Account in the best and cheapest Manner 28 Iron Cannon of 24 pound Ball and 28 of 18 lb. You will be so good as to send one set of Bills of Loading to us and another to...
1500The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 11 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the fifth instant We have received. We wish better Health to Captain Ayers, and a safe Passage to his Vessell, which is at sea before now no doubt, if not however she is to sail forthwith, without further orders. Your Draughts for the Account inclosed will be duely honoured. But you must distinguish that Part of it, which belongs to Mr. Adams in his private Capacity from the other...