4801From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of 30. May with its Inclosures. You have Since that day no doubt received my Answer to yours of the 11 th. , in which I agreed perfectly with You in the Propriety of Sending M r Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to Send M r Randal with him but had rather he Should come to You first and then to me, and embark in London after We shall have had...
4802To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of 30. May with its Inclosures. You have Since that day no doubt received my answer to yours of the 11th., in which I agreed perfectly with you in the Propriety of Sending Mr. Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to send Mr. Randal with him but had rather he Should come to you first and then to me, and embark in London after we shall have had...
4803John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Dr Gordon brought me your Letter of the 2d. of April, which gave me, great Pleasure. In order to get acquainted with the other Classes enquire who are the most remarkable Scholars in each, and drop in upon them frankly, make them a visit in a Leisure hour at their Chambers, and fall into Conversation. Ask them about their Tutors manner of teaching. Observe what Books lie upon their Tables, ask...
4804From John Adams to Samuel Williams, 3 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your Letter of the 9. of April. The Memoirs of the Accademy of Arts and Sciences, Shall be sent to sir Joseph Banks, and the other Packet to Manheim. I am much more at ease in my own Mind to have my sons with you, than I should be to have them here with me, or at any other University. and nothing can give me more Satisfaction than to hear, that they behave with...
4805John Adams to Charles Adams, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Kind Letter of the 9th. of April, and congratulate you on the admission of your Brother, which must add much to your happiness. Thomas I suppose will join you in the fall, my Heart will be often with my treasure, at the University. My friends in their Letters give me favourable accounts of all my sons and of my Nephew Mr. Cranch, Your Characters are fair take care to keep...
4806John Adams to John Thaxter Jr., 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 22. Jan. reached me, but yesterday. You would have entertained and obliged me, by an account of Grumblections and Prognostications, one wants them sometimes. They are of use, They sometimes enlighten and often fortify. Give yourself no anxious moments about me nor my Mission, confine your anxiety wholly at home. My Mission will never be worth a groat to my Country unless it should be...
4807John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am proud to learn by your Letter of 13. April that I am so rich at the University. If Thomas gets in, I shall be still happier. The Expence will be considerable, and your Draughts shall be honoured for the necessary. A Year will soon be about, and what are We to do then with John? What Lawyer shall We desire to take him, in Town or Country? and what Sum must be given with him? and what will...
4808From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
D r Gordon who is arrived with your Favour of the 13 of April, will probably be disappointed in his Wishes that mutual affection may be restored; as much as he is mistaken in his opinion; that this is the only means of the Prosperity of both Countries.— America will prosper whether Love or Hatred Subsists. It is indeed improbable that mutual affection will ever be restored, not indeed So much...
4809From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
D r. Gordon, Yesterday called upon me, with the Letter which your Excellency did me, the Honour to write me, on the 10 th. of April— I have long since transmitted to Congress, the Answer of the Board of Admiralty to the Representations relative to the Conduct of Cap t. Stanhope, in which the Letters of that officers are disapproved, The Representations of the Encroachments on the territory of...
4810From John Adams to John Jay, 28 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
An Agent from South America, was not long Since arrested, at Rouen in France, and has not Since been heard of.— another Agent, who was his Associate, as I have been told is here, and has applied to Government, for Aid. Government, not in a condition to go to War with Spain declines having any Thing to do with the Business. but if Application Should be made to rich Individuals, and profitable...
4811John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to congratulate you on your Admission into the Seat of the Muses, our dear Alma Mater, where I hope you will find a Pleasure and Improvements equal to your Expectations. You are now among Magistrates and Ministers, Legislators and Heroes, Ambassadors and Generals, I mean among Persons who will live to Act in all these Characters. If you pursue your Studies and preserve your...
4812John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 26 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
There is a Subject So closely connected, with the Business of my Mission to this Court, that I can no longer be Silent upon it, with Honour. The most insuperable Bar, to all their Negotiations here, has been laid by those States which have made Laws against the Treaty. The Massachusetts is one of them. The Law for Suspending Execution for British Debts, however coloured or disguised, I make no...
4813From John Adams to Richard Cranch, 26 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
During Such great Changes as We have seen When the whole World is put out of its Course and all Men are called to Act in scænes that are new to them, great Irregularities must be expected. But can any Nation ever hope to have Commerce and a Circulation of Property and Industry where the Courts of Justice are not opened. where every Man is not conscious that he can compell others to do him...
4814From John Adams to Tristram Dalton, 26 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Jan: 23. like all your other Letters, contains valuable information & judicious reflections— The time is now come, when the affairs of the United states must take a turn for the better or become much worse— The Impost I presume is granted to Congress by this time. I only wish it were 20 p r. Cent instead of 5— indeed if 40. were necessary, to pay the Compleat interest of the...
4815From John Adams to Charles Storer, 26 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
D r. Gordon called this morning and delivered me yours of the 7 th. of April in a Bundle of News Papers, thank you for both— You might wish for public spirit to prevail without requiring it to be enthusiastic, I wonder where it was that enthusiasm appeared in the course of the last War? it was amongst Tories & Refugees, & British fleets & Armies if anywhere If the inhabitants of the U.S. had...
4816From John Adams to Samuel Austin, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your of Dec r. 23 d. & have since received from M r. Jay our secretary of State for foreign affairs, the papers you refer to, with particular instructions from Congress, which I shall carefully attend to— Your demand as you state it is a Debt contracted before the peace— But you know there is a great misunderstanding between the two Countries, concerning such debts & in my...
4817From John Adams to John Jay, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have not presented a formal Memorial in the Name of our Sovereign concerning the Negroes carried off contrary to the Treaty, although it has been frequently and constantly, insisted upon with the British Ministry, for Several Reasons, one was a desire to confine the first Memorial to one point, the frontier Posts that the real Motives and Intensions of the Cabinet might be the more...
4818To John Jay from John Adams, 25 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have not presented a formal Memorial, in the Name of our Sovereign concerning the Negroes carried off contrary to the Treaty, although it has been frequently and constantly insisted upon with the British Ministry, for several Reasons. one was, a desire to confine the first Memorial to one point, the frontier Posts that the real Motives and Intentions of the Cabinet might be the more...
4819From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 24 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received your Favour of the 12 th. of April. The Arrets I inclosed to King, to be delivered to you, if at New York, and to be Sent to you if gone to N. England, unless he Should have occasion to use them in Congress. I now inclose you some Papers relating to the British Whale Fisheries by which you will see What forced Plants they are, and how easily We may rival them. When you...
4820From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 24 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I this day received your Favour of April 8 th , and Sincerely condole with you under the Loss of your amiable son. These Afflictions are the Lot of Humanity and so little of the System of which We are a Part is Submitted to our View, that as We never can discover the Reasons of them, they are left only to our Reflections and Submission. My Situation, would be eligible, to the Heighth of my...
4821From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 11 th. with the enclosures from M r Lamb, M r Carmichael and M r Barclay. I am not Surprized that M r Lamb, has only discovered that our means are inadequate, without learning the Sum that would be Sufficient. Il faut marchander avec ces Gens la.— They must be beaten down as low as possible. but We shall find at last the Terms very dear. The Algerines will never...
4822To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 23 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 11th. with the enclosures from Mr. Lamb, Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Barclay. I am not surprized that Mr. Lamb has only discovered that our means are inadequate, without learning the Sum that would be Sufficient. Il faut marchander avec ces Gens la. They must be beaten down as low as possible. But We shall find at last the Terms very dear. The Algerines will never...
4823From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 20 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
It is impossible for me to assist you in your Refutation of the Abbe Raynal.— My time is all taken up, and there is not enough of it.— The Quakers changed the Names of Days and Months, first day second day &c first Month, Second Month &c—but the other New England People never did that I know any Thing of.— if they did you will find it in Hutchinson, as well as what relates to the 2250 Livres...
4824From 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...
4825From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 19 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Letter in which this is inclosed, I received yesterday—open for my Inspection— The Bill of Exchange drawn by Mr. Morris for 144.000 florins, will I hope be some relief to you Our Secretary of State for foreign affairs informs me on the 7 th. of April that twelve of the States had granted the Impost new York only remained to come in— and it is not likely the Legislature of that State will...
4826From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 18 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour of transmitting to your Lordship herewith inclosed, an Act of the United States of America in Congress assembled, the 13 th. of October 1785. together with Sundry other Papers relative to the Boundary Line, between the United States, and his Majestys late Province of Nova Scotia, part of which is now called New Brunswick It is Still fresh in the Recollection of every...
4827From John Adams to John Jay, 16 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Last night I was honoured with your Letter of April 7 th. and am happy to find that Twelve States, have granted to Congress the Impost. New York I am persuaded will not long withhold her Assent, because, that in Addition to all the other Arguments in favour of the measure, She will have to consider that all the Blame of Consequences must now rest upon her, and she would find this alone, a...
4828To John Jay from John Adams, 16 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
Last night I was honored with your letter of April 7 th . and am happy to find that Twelve States, have granted to Congress the Impost. New York I am persuaded will not long withhold her Assent, because, that in addition to all the other Arguments in favour of the measure, she will now have to consider that all the Blame of Consequences must now rest upon her, and she would find this alone, a...
4829To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 16 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Smith, a Son of the Lady you Saw here, who is a Sister of our old Acquaintances the Rutledges, will deliver you this Letter. He goes to reside Sometime in France. Mr. Jay, in a Letter of the 7. of April, writes me “We are well, ’tho not officially informed, that all the States have granted the Impost to Congress, except New York, in whose Legislature there is a Strong Party, against it.”...
4830From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 11 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 5 th. of May inclosing a Duplicate of a Letter from the Commissioners of the Board of Treasury to me of the 7 th. of March, the original of this Letter is not come to hand— These Letters Surprized me, very much, because M r. Rucker had informed me a fortnight ago that he had orders to pay the Interest both in Holland & France I went yesterday to his House to...