51John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of 23d. March, and was very much pleased with it, because it is a pretty Composition and your Mamma Assures me it is your own. The History, you mention of Bamfylde Moore Carew, is worth your Reading altho he was a very wicked Man, because it serves to shew you, what a Variety there is in the Characters of Men, and what Odd, whimsical and extravagant Effects are produced...
52From John Adams to John Avery, 10 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have to request of you to communicate the inclosed Resignation to the Honourable Board, as soon as may be; as it is of great Importance to the public, that the Superiour Court Should be filled up, and proceed to the Business of the State and as it has been already kept, too long unfill’d. We are now at Such a Distance from the Army, that it is not in my Power to communicate, any...
53John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter, Eliphalet Fitch Esqr., a Gentleman of large Fortune and high in office in Jamaica, is a Grandson of Dr. Boylston and consequently your Relation. You will wait upon him and his Lady, and do yourself the honor to shew them all the Attention and Respect in your Power, while they stay at the Hague. LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ). Eliphalet Fitch was receiver...
54From John Adams to John Jay, 28 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform You, that Friesland has taken the Provincial Resolution to acknowledge the Sovereignty of the United States of America, and to admit their Minister to an Audience, and have instructed their Deputies in the Assembly of their high Mightinesses at the Hague to make the Motion in eight days from this. The States of Holland have also taken my last Requisition and...
55John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received, by the Way of Bilboa, a Letter from your Mamma, of the 8th of October, in which She presents her tender Affection to you and your Brother, as well as her Respects to her agreable Correspondent Mr. Thaxter. Your Sister was at Boston, your youngest Brother at School learning fast. You should write me a few Lines, now and then, to inform me of your Health and of your Progress in...
56From John Adams to John Holker, 21 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
A Day or two before my Embarkation at L’orient, Mr. Chaumont came to me and told me that he had shipped a Quantity of Tea, for Boston, and that he wished to lay out, the Proceeds of it, in Land, desired Permission to consign it to me and that I would, purchase Land for him with the Money. I told him that I was not a Merchant, and should not be likely to sell his Tea to Advantage, but that As I...
57From John Adams to John Laurens, 8 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the 28th. of April. I most Sincerely congratulate you, on the most essential Aid you have obtained from the Court of Versailles, who upon this Occasion have done as much Honour to their own Policy, as essential Service to the United States. By a Conduct like this, which it is easy for France to hold, and which does as much...
58From John Adams to John Lowell, 21 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am uncertain whether you said you should sett off for Philadelphia on Wednesday or Thursday, which obliges me to send an Express to Town to day as I fear you may be gone before I can get into Town tomorrow. The two Packetts in brown Paper contain all My Accounts and Vouchers, which I am ordered to transmit to the Navy Treasury Board, and I dare not trust them by an Hand less friendly and...
59From John Adams to John Jay, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour inclosing a certain Copy, I have recd, and in exchange Send you, two others, Fitzherberts Commission and the Dutch Instructions. The first you may have Seen or may not. The other may have been communicated to you in Part. I need not Say to you that it ought not to be known, from whence, either of them comes to you, or to me. RC (private owner, 1978). See John Jay’s letter of 1...
60From John Adams to John Hancock, 28 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Hartley, his Britannic Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary for negociating the definitive Treaty, has requested of me in the Name of the Prince Carominico, the Neapolitan Ambassador at the Court of S t. James’s, Letters of Introduction for his Cousin Il Comte di Vermé, who is going to visit America. He will be happy in an Opportunity to see so illustrious an American as the Governor of...
61John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
You are now at an University, where many of the greatest Men have received their Education. Many of the most famous Characters, which England has produced, have pursued their Studies for some time at Leyden. Some, tho not many of the Sons of America, have studied there. I would have you attend all the Lectures in which Experiments are made whether in Philosophy, Medicine or Chimistry, because...
62John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your Favour from the Hague of the 22 and I congratulate you, on your Safe Arrival. You have had a long Journey, from Petersbourg, and I hope it has not been a disagreable, nor an unprofitable one. You Should write to Mr. Dana and to me, an Account of th e Monies you have taken up and expended upon the Road. Keep the Letter from Mr. Dana to me, till We meet. Mr. Hartley is...
63From John Adams to John Paul Jones, 22 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure to congratulate you, on your glorious success Since I left you at L’orient, and upon your Return to that Place, from whence I wish you safe to America. I obtained Permission from the Navy Board to send some small Matters home by an American Frigate now and then, and I have mentioned it to Dr. Franklin who has no Objection. We married men who run away from our Wives and...
64John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is with Pleasure that I enclose this amiable Letter from your Sister, which breaths a very commendable affection for You and solicitude for your Welfare. There is nothing more tender than these Correspondences between Families, as there is nothing more sacred than the Relations of Brother and sister, except that of Parent and Child. It is your duty to answer her. I say again, it is a moral...
65To John Jay from John Adams, 26 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
By the last Post, I recieved from L’Orient a sett of fresh Instructions from Congress, dated the 16 th . of August, and with the more pleasure as I am enjoined to open a Correspondence with your Excellency, upon the subject of them. I presume You have Copy by the same Vessel; but as it is possible it may have been omitted, I shall venture to inclose a Copy, and hope it may pass unopened. I...
66From John Adams to John Bondfield, 2 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had particular Reasons, which rendered it my Duty, to say little about my Mission to Europe, until lately, when these Reasons were all removed, by the settlements of certain Points, needless to mention. I am now therefore at Liberty to inform You that I have the Honor to be a Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, vested with full Powers to treat and conclude with...
67From John Adams to John Bondfield, 10 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment honoured with yours of the 6. I am now able to inform you, that the Wine is in my Celler. The Hogshead appeared in good order. The Caise, was found to contain only forty whole Bottles, and the Fragments of Eight broken ones. It was very badly packed—only cutt straw within and not well guarded. Pray send me, two Caises more of the very best White bourdeaux Wine, of 50 Bottles...
68From John Adams to John Jay, 7 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 28 Ult. was brought me last night. On Fryday last I was notified, by the Messenger of their H.M. that the Treaties would be ready for Signature on Monday (this day). I am accordingly at Noon, to go to the Assembly and finish the Business. But when this is done, Sometime will be indispensable, to prepare my Dispatches for Congress and look out for the most favourable Conveyances,...
69From John Adams to John Bondfield, 3 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
I return you, with great Sincerity, the Compliments of the Season and thank you for your Congratulations on the Signature of the Preliminaries. I had upon my Mind, when I had the Pleasure to See you, three Years ago, at Bourdeaux, when I was Single in the Commission for Peace, a Strong Presage, that the Peace, must be negotiated in Holland, and consequently, I had more Dependance upon the...
70John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am two Letters, I believe in your Debt, but I have been too busily engaged, to be able to write you. I am pleased with the divisions of your time, which you tell your Brother you have lately made, which appears to be a judicious distribution of Study and Exercise, of Labour and Relaxation. But I want to have you, upon some higher Authors than Phaedrus and Nepos. I want to have you upon...
71To John Jay from John Adams, 28 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, that Friesland has taken the Provincial Resolution to acknowledge the Sovereignty of the United States of America, and to admit their Minister to an Audience, and have instructed their Deputies in the Assembly of their high Mightinesses at the Hague to make the Motion in eight days from this. The States of Holland have also taken my last Requisition and...
72John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed to Congress. By what Vessell it...
73From John Adams to John Lowell, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Favour of the 12 Oct. and for the Trouble you took in conveying my Accounts and Vouchers to the Treasury. I am too fond of the Approbation of my Country men, to refuse, or to hesitate about accepting an appointment made with So much Unanimity, after all the Contests about foreign affairs and I am too nearly of your Opinion in some other Points too. No Man knows better than...
74John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
No Letters from you by the two last Posts. Let me hear from you as Soon and as often as you can. This is the only Substitute for the Pleasure of Seeing you, which I fear I cannot enjoy for Some time, as the Conferences for the definitive Treaty languish more than I could wish. When I desired you to send me an Account of your Expences, I did not mean a particular Account, but only the Amount,...
75John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
If there are any extraordinary Productions of Nature or Art, exhibited, at the Fair of Leyden, write me an Account and a description of them, and insert them in your Journal. There were so many Rarities, at the Fair of Amsterdam, that I think these Fairs worth seeing. A Youth may store his Mind with many new Ideas, and with many usefull Reflections by attending to these Things. To open your...
76From John Adams to John Jay, 13 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had two days ago the pleasure of yours of the 26th. of April, and am very happy, to have at least recieved from your Hand an Account of your safe Arrival in that Capital. The C. de F. Blanca, is agreed to be a Man of Abilities, but somehow or other, there is something in the European Understanding different from those We have been more used to. Men of the greatest Abilities, and the most...
77John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
As the War in which your Country is engaged will probably hereafter attract your Attention, more than it does at this Time, and as the future Circumstances of your Country, may require other Wars, as well as Councils and Negotiations, similar to those which are now in Agitation, I wish to turn your Thoughts early to such Studies, as will afford you the most solid Instruction and Improvement...
78From John Adams to John Bradford, 12 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 17 June is before me. I thank you, sir for your kind Congratulations on my safe arrival at Paris. Before this arrives you will have learn’d that War is commenced in Earnest between France and England. Never was a Nation in higher Spirits than the French, or lower than the English. The Events of War, it is true are always uncertain, but there have been few Conjunctions in human...
79John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Ice is so universal now that I suppose you spend some Time in Skaiting every day. It is a fine Exercise for young Persons, and therefore I am willing to indulge you in it, provided you confine yourself to proper Hours, and to strict Moderation. Skaiting is a fine Art. It is not Simple Velocity or Agility that constitutes the Perfection of it but Grace. There is an Elegance of Motion, which...
80From John Adams to John Winthrop, 29 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Bearers of this are two young Gentlemen from Maryland. Aquilla Hall and Josias Carvill Hall, both of one of the best Families in Maryland, and both of independent Fortunes. Their Errand to Cambridge, is to join our Army as Volunteers, against the Enemies of their Country in order to gain Experience, in the Art of War, in which they have already made good Proficiency. As it is of importance...
81From John Adams to John Jay, 2 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you on the 10th. 13th. and 17th. of August, but have no Answer as yet to either Letter. All is well here, and will not only remain so but grow better and better. Since it is from Bows and Smiles and Invitations to Dinner and Such kind of Indications that We are to collect the deep Politicks of Courts, I Suppose I may augur well for your Negotiations with Spain, because I have lately...
82From John Adams to John Thomas, 13 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for two Letters one by the Committee: the other dated Novr. 1. The subject of the first is not yet determined in Congress, but I have no doubt your Desires will be complied with. As soon as I received the last I waited on Dr. Morgan and shewed your Letter, together with one from Mr. Gordon and a very sensible one from Dr. Hayward relative to the same subject. Mr....
En passant. As Church said in his letter to the Regulars, Remember I Never deceived you. If your Congress don’t give better encouragement to the Privates, than at present is held forth to them, You will have No Winter Army. There must be some small bounty given them on the inlistment. A Strange Mistaken Opinion Obtains among the Gentlemen of the Army from the Southward and if I mistake Not in...
84John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform you, that Yesterday I removed into this House, and am now employed in setting it in order. You will see by the Gazettes, that I have been received in Character, that I have laid before the States a Plan of a Treaty, which they have now under Consideration, and I suppose will be soon finished. The Bearer of this, Coll. Vallentin, will deliver it. Perhaps he may be...
85From John Adams to John Paul Jones, 12 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 10th of December last, and am much obliged to you for your Care of the Articles which Mr Moylan, at my desire Sent to my Family. The Command of the America could not have been more judiciously bestowed, and it is with Impatience that I wish her at Sea, where She will do honour to her Name. Nothing gives me So much Surprize, or so...
86John Adams to John Thaxter, 23 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 17th. After reflecting a little upon matters I think upon the whole it will be necessary, that you wait on Dr. Franklin and ask the Favour of him to take the Charge of my Books, at his house, and also of my cloaths. If he declines permitting them to be left there, ask the same favour of Mr. Grand. You may leave the Books open for their...
87From John Adams to John Jay, 15 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I shall not always stand upon Ceremonies, nor wait for Answers to Letters, because useful Hints may be given, which would be lost if one were to wait Returns of Posts. The British Channel Fleet is reckoned this Year at from thirty to thirty seven Ships of the Line, but it is well known that they depend upon Seamen to be pressed from their first West India Fleet, in order to make up this...
88From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 39, 8 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 8 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 433–435). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:602. In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams provided a list of forty-six British naval vessels lost for a variety of reasons...
89Franklin and John Adams to Ferdinand Grand, 1 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, American Philosophical Society <Passy, October 1, 1778: Pay to John Adams 6,000 l.t. and charge the same to the commissioners’ account.> This letter only exists as copied in the account books of JA and WTF . It is published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII , under Oct. 1; it also appears in Account III described above, XXIII , 19.
90From John Adams to John Jay, 13 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Comission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Marattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, vizt. Sa Majesté Britannique...
91The 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...
92From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 52, 25 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 25 April 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 500–503). In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams included long newspaper accounts from Dublin of events in Ireland, particularly the progress of the volunteer movement, and from London of the efforts of the British ministry to bring about a resolution of the Irish problem. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 500–503.)
93The 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...
94From John Adams to John Jay, 28 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour to write you, on the 26 instant by the Post, a Conveyance which I am determined to try, untill I am certainly informed of its Infidelity, in which Case, I will ask the favour of the French or Spanish Ambassador, to inclose my dispatches. I received by the last Post, a Duplicate of Dispatches from Congress the originals of which I received Sometime ago. I presume you have recd...
95From John Adams to John Winthrop, 12 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with yours by your son, who has arrived here in good Health. I wish he may be provided for in one of the Ways you mention, because I esteem him deserving of it. The Question of Independence is so vast a Field that I have not Time to enter it, and go any Way in it. Many previous steps are necessary. The Colonies should all assume the Powers of Government in all its Branches first....
96Resolution to pay John Davis a sum in behalf of Edward Johnson, a petitioning soldier, 26 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolution to pay John Davis a sum in behalf of Edward Johnson, a petitioning soldier. M-Ar :207, p. 317–318. ( M-Ar :207, p. 317–318).
97John Adams to John Boylston, 5 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of the 28 June, and thank you for your Congratulations. British Politicks, it is true, are in a Labyrinth. There is never the less, one clue, and but one, which is to acknowledge American Independence, by an express Act of Parliament. This, once done, they would not find it difficult to make Peace. Those who lend Money to the United States of America in this...
98John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
If it should be the Design of Providence that you should live to grow up, you will naturally feel a Curiosity to learn the History of the Causes which have produced the late Revolution of our Government. No Study in which you can engage will be more worthy of you. It will become you to make yourself Master of all the considerable Characters, which have figured upon the Stage of civil,...
99From John Adams to the Comtesse de Quadt Wykeradt, 5 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry it is not in my Power to agree to your Request in your Letter of this Days Date. But it is absolutely out of my Power, as I am obliged to remove from my House at Amsterdam, on the first of May. I have the Honour to be very respectfully Madam your most obedient and humble servant Dft ( Adams Papers ). The draft is written on the reverse of the Comtesse’s letter of 5 April, above.
100From John Adams to John Jay, 22 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate You, on your happy Arrival in Europe, which must be the more agreeable to You, for the terrible Voyages You have had. Every good American in Europe I believe suffered a great Anxiety, from the Length of Time that passed between the day when it was known the Confederacy sailed, and the Time when the News arrived of your being at Cadiz. I too have had my Hair...