4851Grosvenor Square Westminster March 27. 1786. (Adams Papers)
March 26. Sunday, dined in Bolton Street Piccadilly, at the Bishop of St. Asaphs. Mr. and Mrs. Sloper, the Son in Law and Daughter of the Bishop; Mrs. and Miss Shipley the Wife and Daughter; Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan, Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Williams, Mr. Richard Peters and myself, were the Company. In the Evening other Company came in, according to the Fashion, in this Country. Mrs. Shipley at...
4852John Adams to Richard Cranch, 24 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
In yours of the 10th. of Novr. you desire me to give you the Connection between the Premises and conclusion, when I said that the Navigation act would compell all the other states to imitate it. If they do not the Massachusetts will soon get so much of their carrying Trade as will richly compensate her for any present Inconvenience. I take it for granted that the United States will make peace...
4853From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 24 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour of inclosing a few Extracts of Letters written in 1783 to M r Livingstone, which it is to be presumed were laid before Congress: but I have not heard that the Plan Suggested in them of purchasing raw Sugars in France, Spain and Portugal, to be refined in Boston, New York and Philadelphia for Exportation to Russia, Germany & Italy, has been ever attempted, untill this...
4854From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 23 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have too much reason to believe with you, in your Letter of the 18 th. that there is a fatal Infatuation somewhere, & I think we should not differ in our Conjectures where the Causes lie— There is room to hope that man kind will one day arrive at a gread degree of perfection in the science and art of Government, when it shall no longer be thought a divine science, it will be pursued upon...
4855John Adams to Richard Cranch, 20 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter to R. R. Livingston, Secretary of state for foreign Affairs, dated The Hague July 23. 1783, I gave him an account of Conversations with Mr. Van Berckel and others, in which I learn’d that there were in holland a great Number of Refineries of Sugar; “that all their own Sugars were not half enough to employ their Sugar Houses, and that at least one half of the sugars refined in...
4856John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
This Letter, I presume, will find you at the University, where I hope you will pass your time both pleasantly and profitably. Let Us know how you find Things, and take care of your health. You have in your Travels had so much Exercise, that it is not Safe to discontinue it, and indulge your self too much in a Sedentary Life. Never fail to walk an hour or two every day. I have read the Conquest...
4857From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Before the Arrival of your kind Letter by Wingrove I had heard, from various quarters, of your Marriage and had received the most agreable Accounts of the Character of the Lady. give me leave to congratulate you, on this happy Event. Nothing can be more pleasing than the Transition from the Turbulence of War and Politicks to the Tranquility of domestick Life, in the Arms of a Lady of so much...
4858From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 13 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams presents his Compliments to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen and acquaints his Lordship that M r Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles is now here and as they have something to communicate to his Lordship relative to the Affairs of the United States, they request a Time when they may have the Honour to pay their Respects to...
4859John Adams to Carmarthen, 13 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams presents his Compliments to the Right Honourable The Marquis of Carmarthen and acquaints his Lordship that Mr. Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles, is now here, and as they have something to Communicate to His Lordship relative to the affairs of the United States, they request a Time when they may have the honor to pay their respects to...
4860From John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 12 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Terror in the Minds of our Sailors, of the Barbary Rovers, is an immense Loss to our Country, in Insurance, and in Trade with Italy, Spain, Portugal France England Holland: indeed with all Parts of the World. The Question is whether it is better Policy to fight them or treat with them. To fight, with a possibility of any effectual Success will cost us a Million sterling a Year. To treat...
4861John Adams to Richard Cranch, 11 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged to you, for your Friend Ship to my Brother Adams, and hope that his Conduct in his new office, will do no dishonour to his Appointment but he will stand in need sometimes of your Advice. Inclosed with this is a Book of my Friend Jefferson, which, you will entrust to none but faith full Friends. It is not yet to be published. We are at War with Morocco, Algiers, Tunis and...
4862John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 11 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Favours of Nov 12. and 24. and Decr 21 are before me. I Sympathize with you, under the Loss of your amiable Mrs Tufts, who was Innocence and Charity itself and Innocence and Charity can never put off the Flesh but for an happier state. It gives me great Satisfaction to be informed that my Sons Behaviour is approved, by you. As they must labour for their Lives, I hope they will...
4863From John Adams to Benjamin Goodhue, 10 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of 20 Dec r. has much obliged me. The accurate States of the Mackarel, Cod and Whale Fisheries are very valuable Pieces of Information, and as long as I shall Stay in Europe I shall be happy to learn from you, from time to time the Progress of these valuable Branches of Commerce, and of all others in which our Country is interested. We have Such Advantages over France &...
4864From John Adams to Granville Sharp, 8 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I took the first opportunity to send your Present of Books to my friend the Marquis de la Fayette and have this Morning received the inclosed Letter for you from that Nobleman. Let me avail myself of this opportunity of presenting my thanks, for your obliging present of Books to me. you have merited the respect and Esteem of all Men amongst whom Liberty and Humanity are not disregarded by your...
4865From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 4 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Among all the Pamphlets which have been written Since the Peace—I cannot recollect One, before the Address to the Landed Interest &c—which did not appear to me to be written with an express Intention to deceive the Nation by concealing Some real danger or holding out Some false hope, in order to recommend One Candidate for the Ministry, or Surpress another. You will not be Surprized at the...
4866From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 2 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
you have obliged me very much by your kind Letter of the Feb 27 th. The Americans are indeed Englishmen, and will continue such in Language & sentiments and manners whether they are allowed to be friends or Compelled to be Ennemies of those other Englishmen who inhabit these Islands Great Britain and Ireland. the priviledges of purchasing inheriting exercising Trades, voting for or being...
4867From John Adams to William White, 28 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 26 of Nov. by M r Peters, I had not the Honour to receive, till a few days ago. I am much obliged to you, for this Mark of your Confidence, and for the Pamphlets and Papers inclosed, which I had Yesterday an Opportunity of communicating to the Archbishop of Canterbury, when his Grace did me the Honour of a Visit to deliver me the inclosed Letter, with the Desire of the...
4868From John Adams to John Jay, 27 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
At the last Conferences, as they call here what is understood in Paris by Ambassadors Days the Marquis of Carmarthen was pleased to make an Apology for not having yet answered the Memorial requiring the Evacuation of the Posts. “It would Sound oddly to Say that he had delayed his Answer, to prevent Delays, but it was true. He had drawn up his answer, but as he was obliged to Say Something,...
4869From John Adams to John Jay, 26 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Envoy from Portugal, has received from his Court an Answer to his Dispatches relative to the Treaty with the United States, and the enclosed Extract from it, which has been delayed sometime by the Sickness of the Chevalier de Freire, the Portuguese Secretary of Legation, this Minister did me the Honour to deliver to me two days ago, with his request that it might be transmitted to...
4870To John Jay from John Adams, 26 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Envoy from Portugal, has received, from his Court an Answer to his Dispatches relative to the Treaty with the United States, and the enclosed Extract from it, which has been delayed some time by the Sickness of the Chevalier de Freire, the Portuguese Secretary of Legation, th at is Minister did me the Honour to deliver to me two days ago, with his request that it might be transmitted to...
4871To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you Mr. Samuel Hartley a Relation of the late Minister at Paris. He has Business at Paris which he will explain to you, whether you can be of any Service to him in that or not, your Civilities will be very agreable to him and oblige Dear Sir your most humble Servant, RC ( DLC ). Noted in SJL as received 31 Apr. [1 May?] “by Mr. S. Hartley and Colo. Jas. Hartley.”
4872From John Adams to John Jay, 22 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
On Monday Evening another Conference was held with the Tripolitan Ambassador, attended with his Interpreter Benamor, who is a decent Man, and very ready in the English as well as Arabick and Italian. The Foreign Ministers here Say it is the Custom of all the Ambassadors from Barbary to be much connected with Jews to whom they are commonly recommended. It may be Supposed the Jews have...
4873To John Jay from John Adams, 22 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
On Monday Evening another Conference was held with the Tripolitan Ambassador, attended with his Interpreter Benamor who is a decent Man, and very ready in the English as well as Arabick and Italian. The Foreign Ministers here say it is the Custom of all the Ambassadors from Barbary to be much connected with Jews to whom they are commonly recommended. It may be supposed the Jews have interested...
4874From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have desired Colonel Smith to go Express to Paris, to intreat you to come here without loss of Time. The Portuguese Minister has received his Instructions from his Court, and We may here together conduct and finish the Negotiation with him, I suppose in three Weeks. But there is another Motive more Important. There is here a Tripolitan Ambassador with whom I have had three Conferences. the...
4875From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 21 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My Friend D r Price has kindly permitted me to read his Letter and to inclose mine with it— before the Commencement of Hostilities in America a Pamphlet was presented to me at Boston in your Name, which I read with more pleasure than I ever received from any other. it was intituled Considerations on the Measures Carrying on &c— it has been a Constant sceurce of Astonishment to me that a Nation...
4876To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 21 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have desired Colonel Smith to go Express to Paris, to intreat you to come here without loss of Time. The Portuguese Minister has received his Instructions from his Court, and we may here together conduct and finish the Negotiation with him, I suppose in three Weeks. But there is another Motive more Important. There is here a Tripolitan Ambassador with whom I have had three Conferences. The...
4877From John Adams to John Jay, 20 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Tripolitan Ambassador Sent a Message by a Doctor Benamor, an English Jew most probably, who has formerly resided in Barbary, and Speaks the Arabic Language as well as the Italian and Lingua Franca, to inform me, that he wished to return his Visit, in the Same friendly and respectfull manner, and that as he had much at heart a Treaty between the Barbary and American States, he...
4878From John Adams to Stephen Higginson, 18 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your valuable Letter of Dec r. 30. is received, and has much obliged me. The Conduct of this Country both in a political & Commercial Point of View appears to me in the same point of Light as it does to you The remittances from the United States, which have been made since the peace, thro’ Holland, France Spain & Portugal, as well as those made directly in Cash & Produce, notwithstanding the...
4879From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I was Sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador, but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprize that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
4880To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 17 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador; but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprise that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. Last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
4881From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Expences of Insurance on American Vessells; the Obstructions of their Commerce with Spain Portugal and Italy: and Compassion for our Fellow Citizens in Captivity: all occasioned by Apprehensions of the Barbary Corsairs, must excite Solicitude in every Man capable of thinking or Feeling. it is nevertheless certain that too great an Alarm has been Spread, Since no more than two Vessells have...
4882From John Adams to John Jay, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, inclosing two Pamphlets one of which I have Sent to M r Jefferson, by Coll Humphreys who Setts out for Paris this morning. These Letters will be Sufficient to Shew any Man of common Decency, the Characters of the Writers. on one Side there is the Condescension of a provident but indulgent Father: on the other the Impertinence and Ingratitude of a Prodigal son, not...
4883From John Adams to Rufus King, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have inclosed to M r Ramsay an Address to the landed trading and funded Interests of England, which contains Some good Sense, intermixed here and there with a little Folly. M r. Ramsay will be so good as to let you read it and in return you may let him read the inclosed Principle of the Commutation Act. As the Commerce of the United States begins to run to the East Indies, every Thing which...
4884To John Jay from John Adams, 14 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Letter, inclosing two Pamphlets one of which I have sent to M r Jefferson, by Coll Humphreys who setts out for Paris this morning. These Letters will be sufficient to shew any Man of common Decency, the Characters of the Writers. On one side there is the Condescension of a provident but indulgent Father: on the other the Impertinence and Ingratitude of a Prodigal Son, not...
4885From John Adams to David Ramsay, 9 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me, the honor to write me, on the 23 d. of Dec r. and am much obliged to you, for the present of the history of the late revolution in south, Carolina, I have not yet received it: calling on M r. Dilly, on the receipt of your Letter I was informed that the Books consigned to him were still on board the ship, and would not be landed under 10 or 12 day’s— I...
4886From John Adams to David Humphreys, 8 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I received with Pleasure, your kind Letter of Yesterday, and although I cannot absolutely disapprove of your proposed Return to America in the Spring for the Reasons you Suggested in Conversation, yet I feel a sensible Reluctance at the Thought of loosing your Assistance, and Still wish you may find it convenient to Stay at least till the Expiration of your Commission. I believe, and I hope,...
4887From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 6 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of transmitting to your Lordship a Copy of a Letter of the twenty first of December last, from His Majestys Consul General in the United States to their Secretary of State for the Department of foreign Affairs, which has been laid before Congress, who have been pleased to direct me to communicate it, to his Majesty, with this Information, that the Complaint Stated in it,...
4888From John Adams to the Comte de Sarsfield, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
In your kind Letter of the 26. of Jan y. You ask an explanation of that expression of the Massachusetts, “a Ridder of hobby horses”— in the original of the Word Hobby horse it signified a little horse, the same with Poney in English—or Bidet in french,— The English then transferred it to Irish and Scottish horses— Cheval de Irlande au D Ecosse from this sense it was transferred to those little...
4889From John Adams to John Woddrop, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honor to write to me on the 27 th. of January—and several others before that some of which contained Letters for America, which I sent with my first dispatches. I have not answered any of those Letters because they related to a subject with which I have nothing to do. I am not come to this Country Sir—to solicit emigrations to the United states of...
4890From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 31 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I send you by M r. Joy, all the writings which have fallen in my way, against the slave trade— I mentioned your Desire to read, whatever you could find upon that subject to M r. Granville sharp who requests your acceptance of what he has written upon that subject— you may not Know the Character of this Gentleman, He is the Grand son of the famous Archbishop sharp, very amiable & benevolent in...
4891From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 12, but Yesterday, and wish it were in my Power to order the Interest due to the French Officers to be paid: but it is not.— They must remain unpaid, be the Consequence what it may untill Congress or the Board of Treasury order it. indeed, I dont know how your Subsistence & mine is to be paid after next month.— M r Grand will be likely to advance yours, but from...
4892To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 28 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 12, but yesterday, and wish it were in my Power to order the Interest due to the French Officers to be paid; but it is not. They must remain unpaid, be the Consequence what it may untill Congress or the Board of Treasury order it. Indeed, I dont know how your Subsistence and mine is to be paid after next month. Mr. Grand will be likely to advance yours, but from...
4893From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 26 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you, M r Anstey a Member of Parliament and Barrister at Law, who is Sent out by the Commissioners of American Claims to verify Facts, Such as Titles to Estates, Incumbrances upon them &c. The House of Commons Yesterday ordered an Account of Vessells cleared out for the Importation of Flour Biscuit and Live Stock from the U States into any of the Islands of...
4894From John Adams to John Jay, 26 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you John Anstey Esq Barrister at Law and a Member of Parliament, who goes out by Authority to verify the Claims of the Loyalists, as they call themselves.— I believe it to be the Design of M r Pitt to pay their Demands which shall be found to be Supported, and withdraw their Pensions and then leave them to Seek their Fortunes. in Such a Case if our States repeal...
4895From John Adams to Rufus King, 22 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was honoured with your Letters of the 4. and 10. Dec r. — The Act of Congress respecting the British Consul General, is wise, and well guarded: Nevertheless I think that We Should not be So inattentive to Ettiquette, as to omit a Proposition for Sending a Minister Plenipotentiary. We give up, a Point, by receiving a Consul in return for a Minister, which, although it may appear of...
4896From John Adams to John Jay, 21 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday, the Chevalier De Pinto informed me that he had written to Lisbon, for Explanations from his Court upon certain Points: that he expected an Answer, in a few days, and that as soon as he Should receive it, he would call upon me and proceed in the Negotiation. That in the meantime he would not disguise from me, the Solicitude of his Court to Send a Minister, to Congress. Ettiquette...
4897From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 21 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am very glad to learn by your Kind favour of the 9 th. that Boylston has sold his oil to sangrains Correspondent because this will both shew the Bostonians that a Markett may be found in france, much better than in England, & the Parrissians that this oil is much better & Cheaper than any other M r. Barretts Contract bids fair to compleat the business & to introduce a regular Exchange of...
4898From John Adams to the Comte de Sarsfield, 21 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
If I were as fortunate as you are and could pass the Water from Dover to Calais in 3 hours, I would go to Paris & dine with you in some of your American Parties but I can never get over from Harwich to Helveot nor from Dover to Calais in less than 17 hours, & sometimes not under three Day’s— I have all the peices relative to the United Provinces excepting Le Pay’s de Drenthe. I have one peice...
4899From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with yours of 27. Dec r. and am obliged to you for what you Said to the Count De Vergennes in the Case of the Chevalier De Mezieres.— You may always very Safely depend upon it, that I never have given and never shall give any Opinion against the Letter or Spirit of the Treaty with France. In this Case I have never given any Opinion at all. indeed I have never been consulted. The...
4900To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 19 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with yours of 27. Decr. and am obliged to you for what you said to the Count De Vergennes in the Case of the Chevalier De Mezieres. You may always very safely depend upon it, that I never have given and never shall give any opinion against the Letter or Spirit of the Treaty with France. In this Case I have never given any opinion at all. Indeed I have never been consulted. The...