1From John Adams to William Cranch, 23 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your kind Letter of the 5. of December, and for a former one, and for the important Intelligence conveyed in both. Braintree could not have made a wiser Choice of Delegates to Convention, and We may now depend upon a wise decision from our Town. We can Scarcely hope to hear of the Result of the Massachusetts Convention, before We embark. March is the Month fixed...
2From John Adams to William Cranch, 14 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of Decr 15. Jan. 24. and Feb. 17 are before me, and I thank for your Attention, and hope for a continuance of it, though I am not a punctual Correspondent to You. To the original of the Bar Meetings I was a Witness, as I was also to their excellent Effects in the Progress of them. They introduced a Candor and Liberal[ity] in the Practice at the Bar that were never before known in...
3From John Adams to William Cranch, 30 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your letter and should be happy to furnish you with any hints concerning the study of the Civil Law, which may occur to me after having laid aside all such studies for many years. Under the general phrase Civil law is often understood what is commonly considered the learning necessary to obtain a degree of Doctor of Laws LLD the common abreviation signifies...
4From John Adams to William Cranch, 18 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Mr Robert Denison an English Gentleman from Nottingham in England proposes to visit the City of Washington. If you can shew him the City, or any other Attentions you will oblige me. He belongs to a wealthy and worthy Family of Dissenters, who have it in contemplation to fly from Persecution He is recommended to be by one of the most benevolent Men in England. I am, my / Dear Sir Sincerely...
5From John Adams to William Cranch, 20 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Will you be kind enough to advance five Dollars for me to Mr Gales for a Second years Subscription for his National Intelligencer, and let me pay it to Mr Peabody or any other on your account. I have desired him to ask the favour of Mr Quincy or you, hoping I might take such a Liberty with either. Your Friends are all well and with Health Wealth and long Life to you and yours. MWiW .
6From John Adams to William Cranch, 19 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the 8th. I think with you upon the several political topics you have touched. The Taxes ought never to have been repealed. The restoration of them then is only returning to the right road, from wandering in an erroneus path. The recent discoveries of Henry the S shew the necessity in case of a War, of renewing the alien Law. The inability of the supreme...
7From John Adams to William Cranch, 7 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of March I communicated to your brother and Sister Greenleaf & requested them to search among your Fathers papers they have done so & I presume have sent you Copies of what they have found I have never given the smallest attention to the Title & I had rather at this day undertake to go through Sir Isaac Newtons Principia than investigate the Title to any tract of land....
8From John Adams to William Cranch, 1 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Shall I ask a favor of you? to pay Mr Gales 5 Dollars for my third years subscription for his National Intelligencer and let me pay it for you to Brother Peabody, or your Brother John Greenleaf? We have no paper Bills here that will pass at Washington and silver cannot go by the Post So much for the grave: proceed we now to the gay. Yesterday 30th of April the President and Congress weighed...
9From 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...
10From John Adams to William Cranch, 3 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Our Fisheries have not been abandoned. They cannot be abandoned. They Shall not be abandoned. We hold them by no Grant Gift, Bargain or Sale or last Will and Testament nor by hereditary descent from Great Britain. We hold them, in Truth, not as Kings and Priests claim their Rights and Power by hypocrisy and Craft, but that is from God and our own Swords. 1 The Author of Nature and common...