71From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, for yours of 30 Nov. I return the two Letters from Mr. L. I had the Honour of one, from him, by each of those opportunities, nearly to the Same Purpose. Your kind concern for our Health is very obliging. I shall cover me with Flannels and Furs, like a Dutchman. A Mans Feelings, Soon remove all the Ridicule of it. The “Pensees” will Serve to excite a Curiosity after the Memorial....
72From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 30 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Copies will shew you, the State of Matters. Besides these I have a Letter of Credence to their H. M. which has been presented accepted and recorded, long since; this Letter of Credence is as Minister Plenipotentiary. I have also recd another Commission for other Purposes not yet public. But Mr L. is named in none but that for borrowing Money, but so named in that that he can do...
73From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 9 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I was favoured, in due time with yours of 17. Septr, but have not been able to acknowledge it, till now. The late Transaction you allude to is this, a new Commission for Peace. J. Adams, B. Franklin, H. Laurens, J. Jay, and T. Jefferson are the Ministers. I dont See that this is any Tryal at all of Spirit and Fortitude,—it is more honourable than before and, much more easy. I assure you it has...
74From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 2 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
After Settling a Point or two here, I now think myself at Liberty to inform you, that I have indeed the Honour, to be a Minister plenipotentiary from the United States of America, “vested with full Powers and Instructions to confer, treat, agree and conclude with the Ambassadors or Plenipotentiaries of his most christian Majesty and of his Britannic Majesty, and those of any other Princes or...
75From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 31 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of yours of the 28. We have no Letters or Papers from London later than the 19 or 20, which leaves Us in the dark. There has been a Fermentation, here, which indicates War, the Apprehension of which is born by the Dutch at this time with more Firmness than I expected. The Motive of England, is to pick a quarrell upon a Pretext of an offence different from the armed...
76From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 18–21 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Be so good as to accept of my Thanks for your favour of the 11. and its Enclosures. I am not very anxious for the fate of the Bill: for altho the 30 th. of Nov. was the best time to have Settled the whole affair of Commerce, and the Revocation of a certain Commission without appointing another, has left the Merchants in Confusion and damped the Ardour of returning Friendship, as it was...
77From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 8 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the Second of this Month, was brought to me, but this Moment, and I am happy to find that I agree in so many Points with you. The Armament that has been fitting out here, has been a Mystery, as almost every Thing else has. I never was informed, of the intended strength, the Number of ships or Troops, or who was to command— or where they were to go. I never asked any Questions. I chose...
78From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 4 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
After spending the day very happily with a Number of our Countrymen in Commemoration of our glorious Anniversary, I cannot close the Evening more agreably than by conversing with You. I have three Letters of yours before me—10th—18th—29th—June. The Letter from Clinton was indeed as I am told by some Americans lately arrived, a mere Sport of Wit. I am told it was written by a General Howe, of...
79From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 20 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
There is a little Pamphlet, which was written by me in the Year 1765, and published at Boston, afterwards reprinted in England, under the Title of “a Dissertation on the Cannon and the feudal Law.” It is a kind of philosophical and political Rhapsody, written when I was not very old, and when I had certainly Seen very little of this World, and knew but little of Men or Things. It was ascribed,...
80From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 21 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
The next morning after the Rect of your Letter, I went to Mr De Neufville and paid him the Eight Ducats as you desired, for which I inclose his Receipt. I want to know whether Mr Laurens is exchanged for General Burgoine whether he knows that he is in the Commission—of the Peace, or not, whether and when he intends to come over to the Continent. Pray invite him for me, I dare not do it myself...