901John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Church returns to Day, and with smarting Eyes, I must write a few Lines to you. I never had in my Life, such severe Duty to do, and was never worse qualified to do it. My Eyes depress my Spirits and my Health is quite infirm. Yet I keep about and attend Congress very constantly. I wish I could write freely to you my Dear, but I can not. The Scene before me, is complicated enough. It...
902From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 28 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
I had, the day before yesterday, the pleasure of receiving the letters your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the 12 th , from Versailles, & on the 21 st. from the Hague— M r: Jay’s letters, inclosed, I delivered to him yesterday— I should have been very happy in the honor of the Conversation your Excellency intended with me before your departure. I hope to have the satisfaction of...
903From John Adams to Ferdinand Grand, 15 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of May 14. with your Account inclosed I received: I have also received your Letter of August the 6th., with the Account inclosed in that. I will endeavour to explain, myself, as well as I can upon the Several Things mentioned in them. In the first Account you have given me Credit for 24000 and charged me with 2/7 of it upon my order to Credit Mr. Dana. This Amounts to the Same...
904From John Adams to William MacCreery, 31 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favours of 25 and 27. the last of which I recived this Moment. The Baltimore Paper of the 6th. of June I had before received, from the Printer who was kind enough to think of me, but I am not the less obliged to you. I wish you Joy of the News, this Moment received from Versailles, of a Battle between D’orvilliere and Keppel, in which the former, had the Honour, and the...
905From John Adams to Henry Grand, 27 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Adams’s Books & Papers being at the Hague, it is impossible for him to give M r. Grand a List of the Bills drawn on M r. Laurens and him, which have been accepted by him, before he shall return to the Hague. M r. Adams gave to Mess s. Fizeau Grand & C o. at Amsterdam compleat Lists of all the Bills he accepted & transmitted to D r. Franklin also in the time of it Copies of those Lists....
906From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 80, 5 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 5 June 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 102–105). LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers notations by Thaxter: “18th June 1780. This day delivered Mr. Hall of Virginia Nos. 79 & 80 to go by the Way of Amsterdam—also two Packets of newspapers and several private Letters.”; “June 23d. 1780. This day Mr. Adams delivered to Drs. Boush and Lewis of Virginia at their Hotel the duplicates...
907From John Adams to William MacCreery, 14 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 14 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:98–99 . Replying to MacCreery’s letters of 25 April (above) and 3 May ( Adams Family Correspondence Adams Family Correspondence , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1963-. , 3:12, note 2), Adams thanked MacCreery for his...
908John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I took a ride to a beautifull Hill eleven Miles out of Town. It is called Rush Hill. An old Lady Mrs. Morris and her Daughter Mrs. Stamper, live here with a Couple of servants, and one little Boy, who is left with the Family for Education. It is the most airy, and at the same Time the most rural Place in Pensilvania. The good Lady has about sixty Acres of Land, two fine orchards, an...
909From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 28, 21 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Sentiments and Affections of a People, may be learned from many little Circumstances, which few Persons attend to. The Poets and orators, are generally considered as the Surest Repositories of popular Ideas both in ancient and modern nations. The Clergy may be classed among the latter: and it is very certain that most publick Preachers, accommodate both their Sermons and their Prayers, in...
910To John Adams from Samuel Gelston, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Pardon me for the Liberty I take in Sending a Billet to a Gentleman of your exolted Station and Character, when I have not the Honour to be in the number of your Acquaintance. Had not my situation been Really distressed, I should not have done it. When the Council Rose Yesterday p.m. I was Acquainted by one of the Members That they had come into sundry Resolutions on my Matters and that...
911From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a Copy of the letter of the Comte De Vergennes, to me, of the 21st. of this Month, and a Copy of my Answer to his Excellency of the 22d. This Correspondence is upon a subject, that has lain much out of the way of my particular pursuits, and therefore I may be inaccurate in somethings, but in the principles I am well persuaded I am right. I hope that things are...
912From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 5 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Just a Line, by our venerable Friend, President Laurens, with whom your Communions will be sweet. Pray let me know if Mr Jay is coming to Paris, or come. The last Victory of Rodney, to whom Heaven grants them to shew that it dispizes them, has restored the national Delirium, in all its Effervescence. We shall have no Peace I suppose, in Consequence. War then! War? Yet I sigh for Peace as much,...
913From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 30, 25 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is very difficult to discover, with Certainty the secret springs which actuate the Courts of Europe, but whatever I can find with any degree of Probability, I Shall transmit to Congress, at one Time or another. The Prince of Orange is himself of the Royal Family of England: his Mother was a Daughter of King George the Second, and this Relation is no doubt one, among the Several Motives,...
914From John Adams to Unknown, 20 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I expect to return to Europe, very soon, and should be very happy to carry with me such Intelligence as may be of Use, to the common Cause, particularly, respecting the Numbers and real Force of our Enemies in this Country. I know not where to apply with so much Probability of success, as to you sir, who must have made this a constant Object of Attention and Enquiry and who have undoubtedly...
915John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
The President who is just arrived from Baltimore, came in a few Minutes ago and delivered me, yours of Feb. 8, which he found at Susquehannah River, on its way to Baltimore. It gives me great Pleasure to find that you have received so many Letters from me, altho I knew they contained nothing of importance. I feel a Restraint in Writing like that which you complain of, and am determined to go...
916From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 7 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 262–263. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:550. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an English translation of an article that appeared...
917From John Adams to Unknown, 31 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr John Adams, to whom the printed Paper herewith enclosed, is directed, certifies that he has the Honour to be a Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, of the Low Countries, and as a public Minister of a Sovereign State, intituled to an Exemption from the Payment of Such Duties. Certified at Amsterdam the...
918To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 28 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I do myself the Honour to introduce to your Excellency Mr William Cheever, a Citizen of Boston who proposes to Spend Sometime in France and will be very much obliged to you for your good Councils. Any Civilities you may shew him, will be so many obligations, conferred on, Sir your most obedient and respectfull humble Servant Notation: John Adams Decr. 28....
919John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am often afraid you will think it hard that I dont write oftener to you. But it is really impossible. Could I follow the Inclinations of my Heart I should spend half my Time, in this most agreable and pleasing Employment: But Business presses me so close that I am necessitated to mortify my self. From 7 to ten in the Committees and from six to ten in the Evening in the same, and from 10 to...
920From John Adams to Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have seen such a Necessity of an able Commander in Canada, as to destine you to that most arduous Service. I tremble for your Health, yet I hope the Campaign will rather promote it than otherwise. We want you att N. York. We want you at Cambridge. We want you in Virginia. But Canada seems of more Importance than any of those Places. And therefore you are sent there. I wish you as...
921John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I cannot let this opportunity slip without sending you a Line, but the Gentleman waits and it can be but a Line. I have ordered you some Wine as you desired and a Present of some Tea and sugar—But cant tell you by what Vessell it will go. All Well. No Hopes of Peace, at least in my Mind. We must be taught to set an higher Value upon our Liberties before We shall obtain them. We are extreamly...
922From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 92, 14 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 14 July 1780. Dupl , both text and signature in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 181–183). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:857. In this letter, read by Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams included reports from The Hague of 9 July indicating that the...
923John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 October 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am seated, in a large Library Room, with Eight Gentlemen round about me, all engaged in Conversation. Amidst these Interruptions, how shall I make it out to write a Letter? The first day of October, the day appointed by the Charter of Pensilvania for the annual Election of Representatives, has passed away, and two Counties only have chosen Members, Bucks and Chester. The Assembly is...
924From John Adams to Henry Grand, 23 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I recd. in due time your favor of May 31st, I thank You for the settlement of the Account contained in it, the Ballance of which being 86f. 9s., I recieved of Messs. Fizeaux Grand & Co, and gave them two Receipts to serve for one, on the sixth of June last. With the Wine, I wish You to drink “Success to the three combined or concerted Fleets,” and consequently, “A glorious Peace.” LbC in John...
925From John Adams to William Ellery, 6 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had, Yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 22d of January, and beg Leave to assure you, I shall pay all proper Attention to its Contents, by rendering to the Gentleman whom you recommend, every service in my Power. I had before been introduced, to that young Gentleman by his Father, for whom I have conceived a great deal of Esteem, and from what I saw of the son and from...
926From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 25 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a Copy of a Letter I yesterday recieved from Corunna. I communicate it to your Excellency in Confidence. The Writer is a particular Friend of your’s. He has so good an Heart, and is so amiable a Man, that I would not expose him to the Resentment of any of the Gentlemen, and therefore pray your Excellency to keep his Letter secret. Yet his Opinion deserves some...
927From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 19 March 1782. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, IV, f. 25–60). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:246–265. LbC in both JA ’s and John Thaxter’s hands ( Adams Papers ). The Letterbook text is divided between two Letterbooks, Lb/JA/16 and Lb/JA/18...
928John Adams to William Jackson, 14 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last night I had the Honour of your Favour of 26 of October and congratulate you on your Arrival at Bilbao and your agreable Prospect of a Passage to America. I thank you sir, for your kind Attention to my Son, and wish you to take him home with you. Mr. Guardoqui will be so good as to furnish Charles with Stores, and draw upon me. What can be done with the Continental Property I know not,...
929From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this, D r. John Wheelock, is President of an Institution in America, which is founded upon good Principles and deserves Encouragement. If you will give him Leave he will explain to you his Errand to Europe, and if you think there is any Prospect of his Success, I should be obliged to you for any Advice you may give him. I am impatient to get back to Holland where I hope to have...
930From John Adams to Edward Augustus Holyoke, 10 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Upon an Intimation from my Friend D r. Tufts of Weymouth, that the Medical Society, of which you are President, desired to extend its Connections in Europe, I ventured to apply to the Chiefs of the Royale Société de Médecine at Paris, and met with a more complaisant Reception than I expected. Enclosed are Copies of Letters which have passed upon the Occasion, and of the Diploma, which is the...
931From John Adams to B. de Cabarrus Jeune, 13 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which you did me, the Honour to write to me, the 8th of this month, and I thank you, sir, for So ready an Answer to my Request, and for so clear, So full and So intelligible an Account, of the Several Sorts of Wines, which go, in general under the Denomination of Bourdeaux. It is a Branch of Knowledge, which like many others, is much wanted in America, where I shall...
932From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 18, 14 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 14 March 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 325–327). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:544–545. This letter, which Congress received on 11 Sept., was based on intelligence provided by Edmund Jenings and Thomas Digges in their letters of...
933From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 69, 20 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 20 May 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 57–62). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:693–696. In this letter, read in Congress on 11 Sept., John Adams reported on the speeches supporting and opposing Gen. Conway’s bill of 5 May for ending...
934From John Adams to Michel Lagoanere, 16 January 1780 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here last night, all alive, but not very well having all taken, in Spight of all the Precautions in our Power, very great Colds. Mr. Michel Martinus, our Guide and Mr. Raymond San, and the other People with them, have done all they could, for our Comfort, and We have been well satisfied with their Conduct. We have concluded to dismiss them at this Place and mount on Mule back for...
935From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 15 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from London: I have recieved another from Mr. Jennings, who says he inclosed a Letter for you lately, but does not mention the Date, in one to the House of Mr. Grand, and desires me to enquire there, for some things of his, particularly some Maps which You left there. I have enquired of Mr. Grand and his Son Henry, but they know nothing of it. There is Room to hope that...
936From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 2 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd yours of 25 Ult and that of 26, and this moment that of 1. March. Suppose you dismiss your Chambers and invite Madame and Mademoiselle Dumas to remove with you, into my House. In the first Place, is there Room enough in the House for your Family and mine? 2dly how many servants must there be, in order to keep house together, in such a manner? If Madame Dumas would be so good as to...
937From John Adams to Samuel Chase, 23 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the Pleasure of your kind Letter of the 2d of this Month. I should not have sat down in so much Haste as I am in at present, even to acknowledge the Receipt of it, if it was not for the Extraordinary Intelligence it contains, of some Merchandizes shipped to me from Amsterdam, in the sloop Porpus. There must be some Mistake in this, as I knew nothing of it. I never heard nor...
938To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 8 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform your Excellency, that Congress, having judged it proper to appoint me to a new Mission in Europe I embarked on the thirteenth of November, at the Instance of The Chevalier de La Luzerne and Mr. Gerard, on Board the same Frigate that carried me to America. Soon after We got to Sea a...
939From John Adams to Mr. Bergsma, 5 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have Received from the Hand of Mr Menkema, the Resolution of the States of Friesland of the 26. of February. I beg you would accept of my best Thanks for the Honour you have done me, in communicating to me, So early this important Measure—a Resolution which does Honour to that Spirit of Liberty, which distinguishes your Province; and is so apparently equitable, that the Example cannot fail...
940The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We have heard of your arrival at Brest with a prize, and are surprisd that you have not given us an Account of that and of your other proceedings. We desire you will not take any measures relative to the prizes and prisoners you may have made except in securing them, nor incur any considerable expence without our orders. Upon the receipt of this you will...
941From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 27 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which your Excellency did me, the Honour, to write me, on the twenty first of this Month. This Testimony, from your Excellency, of those indulgent Sentiments with which his Majesty, is pleased to honour my Sincere Intentions, cannot fail to be preserved by me and my Posterity as a most precious Monument, and what, is of infinitely more importance, it cannot fail to...
942From John Adams to the President of Congress, 25 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 25 December 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, III, f. 438–441). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:70–71). In this letter, which Congress received on 18 Sept. 1782, JA provided the text of Lord Stormont’s announcement of 8 Sept. to the...
943From John Adams to William Vernon Jr., 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Correspondence of the Commissioners here is so extensive, that it is impossible for me to do without the Assistance of a Clerk, and Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin who has been so good as to assist me for some Months past is now obliged to leave me, in order to return to Boston. If you are not determined to go immediately into a Compting House, and can think of Spending a little time at Passi,...
944From John Adams to Leray de Chaumont, 16 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
As our Finances, are at present in a Situation, seriously critical, and as I hold myself accountable to Congress, for every part of my Conduct, even to the smallest Article of my Expences, I must beg the Favor of you to consider what Rent we ought to pay you for this House and Furniture, both for the time past and to come. Every part of your Conduct towards me, and towards our Americans in...
945John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
This Day, the Chevalier D’Arcy, his Lady, and Niece, Mr. Le Roy and his Lady, dined here. These Gentlemen are two Members of the Academy of Sciences. Now are you the wiser for all this? Shall I enter into a Description of their Dress—of the Compliments—of the Turns of Conversation—and all that. For mercy Sake dont exact of me that I should be a Boy, till I am Seventy Years of Age. This Kind of...
946From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 9 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of yours of the 7. Inclosed are a few more Extracts, concerning the Treatment of Mr. Laurens. You will publish Such Parts as you judge proper. This Event will have more Serious and lasting Consequences than are immagined. It is therefore proper that the facts should be preserved. It may be prudent to observe a delicacy concerning White Eyes. But Europe in general is much...
947From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to let Mr Guild go without a long Letter to you—but you must pardon me. Mr Guild calls upon me for my Dispatches. There are Conferences begun about Preliminaries at Paris and Things are tending to a Congress, but I fancy they would have gone on much better, if Congriss had adhered to your their first Plan. Never did the Neccessity of a clear and firm Conduct appear more plainly to...
948To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 7 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed are three Bills of Exchange for the Use of S. C. Johonnot, One for twelve Dollars, another for sixty Dollars, and another for one hundred and twenty Dollars, which I must ask the Favour of your Excellency to take the Charge of for the Use of the young Gentleman, and to pay his Expences. I have the Honour to be...
949From John Adams to Alexander Gillon, 12 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter which you did me the Honour to write me the 12 of Novr. It would give me great Pleasure to do any thing in my Power consistant with the duty I owe to my Constituents to assist you. But the Advices you allude to are as great an Obstruction to you as to me. I have left no Measure unattempted, that Prudence could justify: but have neither procured any Money nor obtained...
950John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your humble Servant has lately grown much into Fashion in this Country. Nobody scarcely of so much importance, as Mynheer Adams. Every City, and Province rings with De Heer Adams &c. &c. &c. and if I were to judge of things here as We do in other Countries, I should think I was going to be received, at the Hague in awfull Pomp in a few Weeks. But I never can foresee one hour what will happen....