4891From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 29 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 25th is received. I feel much at my Ease under the Lash: as much as Epictetus when he told his Master torturing his Leg “You will break it,” and as much more So as I have not fear of having the Leg broken. As to your “concern of Mind” I advise you to be very deliberate, and weigh all Things as they will affect yourself, your Family your Friends Your Country and Mankind; and...
4892From John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
KNOW ALL MEN by these Presents, That I John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire do make, constitute and appoint Cotton Tufts of Weymouth in the County aforesaid Esquire my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my Name to sell, assign and transfer the whole or any Part of the Six Pr. Cent Stock of T whatever Description standing in my Name in the...
4893From John Adams to David Sewall, 23 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
By your account which I believe is correct—Wentworth and Sewall are all that is left of my Class for my Consolation—and we must expect our turn for filing off one after the other—and perhaps altogether—and that in a very short time— What a Mortality there has been among the Governours—Langdon Strong Snyder Molleston Johnson Lee Raban all in a few months—I almost shudder with expectation to...
4894From John Adams to Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway, 16 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of October 7th. has given me pleasure—by the information of your safe arrival at Utica—But much regret the necessity you was under to return there—The hopeful prospect of Susans recovery is a great Satisfaction to me. I, for one long to see her—and her Mother—and I am not alone in that wish—I pray you to return to Montezillo—I am persuaded that her Native Air from the proximity to...
4895From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Have you read certain Strictures upon Painters and Paintings, in the Newspapers? what do you think of them? I am pleased with his gratitude to Copeley—but I believe he was not perfect Master of Copeleys Merit. There is a Portrait of Justice Dana in his Robe bands and Tie Wig of a Barrister at Law, now no doubt in possession of his Descendants. There is a fault Length Portrait of Governor...
4896From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 19 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Bundle by Mr. B romfield I received, and one or two Parcells since. Yesterday I received the N. Papers and yours of the 14th. I wish to know, how Sir. J. Y. Mem. is considered among you. Will they declare this Republick in Rebellion, or not? Whenever my Lord H—h has charged Faction and Cabal, it has been followed Soon by outlawry, and Charges of Rebellion and War. Poor Arnold! Where are...
4897From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 15 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 29–32. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:234. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consisted of a translation, probably from a French text such as that in the Gazette de Leyde of 9...
4898From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 5 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have this day received by Captain Barney in a Short Passage from Philadelphia, the Ratifications of our Contracts, which are all here inclosed ten in Number, together with two Letters for you and one Packet and one Letter for Mr Dumas, which I pray you to transmit him with my Respects. Let me beg of you, Gentlemen to encourage and promote our Loan by all fair and reasonable Means, and...
4899From John Adams to Tobias Lear, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I recd—in due Season your Letter of the fifteenth of this Month, and immediately communicated it to both Houses of Congress in a Message. The melancholly Event announced in it, had been before communicated to the Legislature, but upon less authentic and regular Evidence. The American People are sincere Mourners, under the loss of their Friend and Benefactor. For General Washington it is a...
4900From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 27 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 21. and will Send you the List of the Bills, and of the times of their becoming due according to your desire, as soon as I can make it out. I will examine Mr. De Neufvilles Bill, and if it is good, accept it. From the time I received from Congress, their orders to borrow Money here, I have constantly, in my Letters, requested that no draughts...
4901From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 20 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
your favour of the 7th from Princeton has given me Comfort by giving me good hopes and full assurance of the Continuence of your Life for Some time—for you must know I have lately become a Convert to your benevolent System of your beneficenceyou remember that I have sometimes laughed at you—for your Bounty’s and Premium’s and Medals, and told you that nobody would thank you for theirs— but the...
4902From John Adams to William Cranch, 8 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of June 22nd. If any one has paid Mr Gales for my third years subscription I know not who he is, that has been so charitable. I believe Mr Gales is mistaken I have never authorized or requested any one but your honour to do it: & certainly I have not advanced any money for the purpose It is your duty to “endeavour to suppress, every sentiment of indignation.” The...
4903John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you Yesterday, that I had executed the Contract and should return to England by the Packet of Wednesday the Sixth of June. But as the Money Lenders, whether to make a mere Compliment to me, whether to shew their Patriotism, or whether from simple Caprice, made it an original Condition that my Name should be Subscribed to all the obligations, as it was in the first loan, instead of...
4904From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 5 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I received with pleasure your favour of October 26th. A Seat in the Convention as it is the Spontanious evidence of the kindness of my fellow Citizens—is indeed a gratifications to my feelings—If I should make my exit in the service it will be EUTHANA—but whether my attendance will be any assistance to the deliberations of that great Assembly who are to revise the Constitution, I know...
4905From John Adams to Commissioners of Washington City, 17 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received and in due time, your favour of the third of this month. I have looked into the Acts of Congress and the Deed of Trust, and although I find no literal Authority given to the President to convey Lotts by Deed of Gift, yet the terms and Conditions of the Sales are subjected to his Discretion. The general Policy of the measure under Consideration, that of offering sites to the...
4906From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 11 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am really grieved at your Misfortune, if it were only on the Principle of Rochefaucault and Swift, that “In all Misfortunes of our Friends We first Consult our private Ends.” I lost a long expected and desired Visit. But when I reflect that your head might have been precipitated into the magnificent Entrance into the Domicil of a Woodchuck, I am Seized with horror. A late Experiment in...
4907Enclosure: John Adams’ Memorandum, 9 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Accordingly on Wednesday I went to Versailles and met the Count at his office with Mr. Rayneval at 9 o Clock, who communicated to me, the following Articles, proposed by the two Imperial Courts, —that Spain had prepared her Answer—that of France was near ready—did not know that England had yet answered. RC ( Arch. Aff. Etr., Paris, Corr. Pol. , E.-U., vol. 17:312); endorsed: “ na previènt de...
4908John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Peace, which Sets the rest of the World at Ease, increases, I think my Perplexities and Anxiety. I have written to Congress a Resignation, but I foresee there will not be a Speedy decision upon it, and I Shall be left in a State of Suspence that will be intolerable. Foreseeing this, I am determined not to wait for an Acceptance of my Resignation, but to come home without it, provided it...
4909From John Adams to Theodore Armistead, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for this Address in which the Modesty of Youth is united with the Fortitude of Manhood, and the Decency of Expression enhances the Value of the generous and Patriotic sentiments. Virginia is of so high Importance in the Union, and in my so respectable in my Esteem, that Assurances of Attachment to the Government from any Portion of the People of that state whatever may be their...
4910From John Adams to William Heath, 19 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd the Letter, you did me the honour to write me on the tenth of this month. The Date of this Letter reminds me that it is two and twenty years Since our final Separation from Britain, and my Letter which you quote recalls old Times and scenes to remembrance. I thank you, Sir, for your kind Congratulations on my Advancement. The Times appear not to me, so critical and difficult, as...
4911From John Adams to James Searle, 11 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am long in your debt, and therefore must beg your Patience on Account of bad health and many Occupations. The rapid Revolution in the Minds of this Nation, and the unaccountable Ardor and Unanimity, which has at last seized upon them for connecting themselves with America have occasioned me so many Visits to recieve and return, and so many complimentary Letters to answer, as added to other...
4912From John Adams to Increase Sumner, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write me, dated the 18 by mistake I presume as I am told it was written this morning. I have read all the Papers and return them. I think it will be advisable that your Excellency should communicate them to the Attorney General, of the State and the District Attorney Mr. Davis at Boston, that both those Gentlemen may write to the...
4913John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is to go by my worthy Friend Mr. Stephen Collins of this City. This Gentleman is of Figure and Eminence as well as Fortune in this Place. He is of the Perswasion of the Friends, but not stiff nor rigid. He is a Native of Lynn in New England, a Brother of Ezra Collins in Boston, a Nephew of Friend Collins the Apothecary in Boston. I have been treated by him in this City, both in the...
4914From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 12 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform your Excellency, that I expect to imbarque and Sail for America, in fifteen days that if your Excellency or any of his Majestys other Ministers, have Occasion to Send any fresh Dispatches to any Part of the united States, So good an Opportunity may not be omitted. The season promisses a short Passage, and I shall be happy in this opportunity, and in every other, of...
4915From John Adams to Daniel Roberdeau, 24 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your most friendly and obliging Favour of 28. Novr was never delivered to me, untill the 22d instant, when I returned home from a short Excursion upon private Business, almost the only Sample that has fallen to my share for four Years. Indeed, Sir, I have neglected and abandoned, my own Affairs and the Concerns of my Family So long, to the inexpressible Loss and Injury of both, that I must...
4916From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 22 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
Is not your lively imagination a little exalted, you certainly have exalted my name to a greater height than it would ever have arisen to, without your sublime compliment—I presume you have laid aside the thought of building an Hospital for despair on that height—I am sure my name ought not be associated with despair How I long to make you a visit, but I cannot get out of my Chamber yet, here...
4917From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the 29th. of August, & I thank you for the friendly sentiments expressed in it, in your private character.—You urge me to join you & the other public officers at Trenton, before our ministers depart from France, & this from considerations, which relate more immediately to myself, as well as others of a public nature. For myself I have neither hopes nor...
4918From John Adams to Ferdinand Grand, 12 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favours of September 14 and 28th. but, by reason of an Amsterdam Fever, which they call an Introduction to the Freedom of the City, have not been able to answer them untill now. The article of L2411: 9s: 9d, which Mr Dana requested your Father you to pay me, arose in this manner. Mr Dana was here, bound to Paris and was Suspicious that he had not cash enough to bear his...
4919From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 4 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
I am astonished! Looking in a Bundle of Letters, I found one from Col. Ward, unanswered, dated 18th. January 1810. A Letter from Such a Correspondent unanswered for a year was Such a proof of Inattention Negligence and bad Œconomy as convinced me that I was grown Old. A Merchant who Sends to Sea a trifling Adventure, and receives in return for it a rich Cargo, and knows that a repetition of...
4920From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 30 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
Who shall write the History of the American Revoluion? Who can write it? Who will ever be able to write it? The most essential Documents, the debates & deliberations in Congress from 1774 to 1783 were all in secret, and are now lost forever. Mr Dickinson printed a speech which he said he made in Congress against the declaration of Independence; but it appeared to me very different from that...
4921From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 18 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 13th contains much truth, and nothing but the truth. I may return to it hereafter, but at present, with your leave, I will continue a few hints on the judicial character of Chief Justice Hutchinson. I pass over that scenery which he introduced, so showy & so shallow, so theatrical & so ecclesiastical, of scarlet and sable robes, of broad bands, & enormous tie wigs, more...
4922From John Adams to United States Senate, 4 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Samuel Williams our Consul at Hamburgh to be Consul of the United States at London in the Place of Joshua Johnson resigned. Thomas Crafts of Massachusetts to be Consul of the United States at Bourdeaux in the Republic of France in the place of Joseph Fenwick, dismissed. Richard Yates of Maryland, to be Consul of the United States at Aux Cayes in the Island of St. Domingo in the...
4923John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 17 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have not had an opportunity to write you till now, since the departure of your Colonel Smith, for England. I presume that this voyage was undertaken on mature deliberation, and wish it may prove exactly to his satisfaction, and his interest. The state of solitude, however disagreeable, should be rendered tolerable to you, when you recollect the many years of separation which fell to the lot...
4924From John Adams to United States Senate, 5 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the Gentlemen in the inclosed List to the offices placed against their Names, excepting William Nichols who has resigned the Office of Marshall of Pennsylvania Commissions issued in the recess of the Senate Isaac Parker, Marshal for the District of Maine—5 March ‘99 William Nichols, Marshal for the District of Pennsylvania 26 June James Winchester, Judge of the District of Maryland...
4925From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Leyden, 29 March 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 287–294. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:335–337. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consists of an English translation of the memorial that Baron de Lynden, the Dutch...
4926From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Virginia Ladies have always been represented to me, and I have always believed it, are among the most beautiful, virtuous, and accomplished of their Sex, One of them has given me a most luxurious entertainment in a narration of her Visit to your Domicil. Her discription of the Mountain, the Palace, the Gardens, the vast Prospect, The lofty Mountains at a distance. The Capacious Valley...
4927Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to American State Officials, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 18 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:102 ; ordered printed by the congress as a broadside (illustration facing p. 99 ). This letter was signed by Adams and Franklin because, according to Arthur Lee in his Letterbook ( PCC , No. 102, IV, f. 7), “this Intelligence was sent...
4928From John Adams to Samuel Phillips, 15 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
An affectionate and respectfull Address, from your two Honourable Houses, has been presented to me according to your request, by your Senators and Representatives in Congress. The Anxiety and the ancient and constant habit of the People of Massachusetts, and their Legislature, to take an early and decided Part, in whatever relates to the Safety and Welfare of their Country, as well as their...
4929From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 5 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
I rec d last night your Favour of 30 of January, with the Copies of Letters inclosed.— I am not at all Surprized at the Sentiments expressed in those Copies, nor am I able to give any Satisfactory Answer to the pungent Questions, which I read there.— I feel very Sincerely afflicted for our Friends without being now able, and without having ever been able to do them any Service.— I could tell...
4930From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 32, 3 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 3 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 395–400). LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “No 32 delivered Capt. Landais 3d. April.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:593–596. In this letter, which was read in Congress on 11 Sept.,...
4931From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 2 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your friendly Letter of the third and twentieth of February, I did not receive till Saturday last. To your Friend, who has now been returned from N. York these five Weeks, I have delivered your inclosed Letter as desired.— She will acknowledge the Receipt of it, and transmit you the Compliments of her fellow Travellers.— our Correspondence has had a short Interruption, it is true, as all...
4932From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of 23 of May, and I thank you for the Newspaper it contained. I have received the Resolutions at large, attested by Mr. Thompson, by the Way of Cadiz and another set from London. I pretend not to be Master of the whole system of Congress, nor of all the Facts, and Reasons upon which it is founded. But I think my self sufficiently informed, to give it as my opinion, that...
4933John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The daily Duties of my office require so much Writing that my hand and head are fatigued & exhausted before I have half done: and this must be my Apology for not writing you till now. I hope you are now well settled in your office and pursuing your studies. Practice will come in time, but the most certainly from an incessant Attendance upon the Courts and taking minutes & making Reports of...
4934From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 11th. I hope We have not made a mistake in Appointing Col. Hunnewell. On the Petition of Mrs Sylvester I am of the same opinion with you and your Colleagues. I had read with real Grief in the Papers, the account of the Death of Col. Otway Bird. The Character I read of him at the time of his appointment to the Collector, convinces me that the public has Sustained...
4935From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
For the last twenty years I have made it a rule to interfere as little as possible with public affairs. but an occation now presents in which I think it my duty to make a frank, a Candid, a Submissive representation to you—if the Treaty with Spain returns ratifyed there will be commissioners appointed to adjust the claims for Spoilations on our Commerce—there is a Gentleman who I recommend to...
4936John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of 18 th. and 19 th instant are so full of your Plans and Labours in Agriculture, that I begin to be jealous you will acquire a Reputation as a Farmer that will quite eclypse my own. I rejoice at length that all Tenants are dispossessed and that Land stock and Utensils are now at our own Disposal.— I am glad you have bought a Yoke of oxen and hope you will buy a farm horse. Our...
4937From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 36, 4 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 4 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 413–414). LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “Nos. 33, 34, 35 & 36 were delivered Capt Snelling on the 8th April 1780 at the Hotel de Valois by Mr Adams.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. ,...
4938From John Adams to James Monroe, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to have delaid an acknowledgement of your favour of February 20th. and the Volume of the journal of the Federal Constitution Convention which attended it—the Volume shows that our present inestimable Constitution cost the venerable Characters—who composed it—much anxiety and debate and but a Candid and liberal disposition on all hands, resulted in the “preclarum singulare...
4939From John Adams to Alexander Townsend, 3 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I regret very much, my accidental Absence from home when you did me the honour to call here. It will be found impossible to do Justice to the Character of Mr Dexter, without a thoughrow knowledge of the History of this Country especially of that part of it, from 1797 to 1802. The Parties during the Revolution, and Since, have grown out of those Parties which existed before, from the first...
4940From John Adams to William Cushing, 7 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am greatly obliged, by the Letter you did me the Honour to write me on the 18 th. of February; and regret very much the Want of Leisure to examine the Subject of it, with that Attention which its great Importance requires. That the Truth may be pleaded in Bar of a civil Action for Damages, for actionable Words, Spoken or written, I remembered very well: but it lay in my mind that Some just...