121To 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...
122From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter M r Thomas Boylston, is one of the clearest and most Solid Capitalists, that ever raised himself by private Commerce in North America. He Seems to be desirous of assisting Us, in introducing the Knowledge and Use of our white Sperma Cæti Oil, into France. His Judgment and Abilities to carry through whatever he undertakes may be depended on. Let me beg your Attention...
123From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 4 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received three Letter of the Tenor and Date of the within— I cannot find in any Gazetteer or geographical Dictionary any Such Place as Roscoff, and I can make nothing of the Story. I hope you have more Skill in Divination. I have no Letters from Congress, nor any Answer from the Ministry. Pray what are the Sentiments in France upon the American Acts of Navigation? and what has been the...
124To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 3 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You have undoubtedly hit upon, the true Word of the Riddle. Yet there was no riddle, nor any clear meaning. It is impossible for any Country to give to another, more decided Proofs of Preference, than our thoughtless Merchants have since the Peace given to this, in matters of Commerce. He had seen this Preference sufficiently prevail. This alone then could not be his Meaning. If he meant a...