1To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 11 August 1790 (Adams Papers)
If ever there was a time when the volunteer exertions of a citizen of America became a duty incumbent upon him in a foreign realm—that period has existed here. For many weeks past I have not been absent a single day from the Admiralty—sundays only excepted. It is not for me to say how efficacious in resisting individual oppression or national mischief this un-intermitting attention has proved....
2To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 17 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the opportunity afforded me by a vessel that sails to day for Philadelphia to send you some newspapers and to tell You that the condition of the american seamen here claims the immediate attention of the Government of the United States. In the absence of any person invested with consular or ministerial authority from Congress—I cou’d not endure to see my fellow citizens first...
3To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 5 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
There are so many rumours concerning the present state of the dispute between Spain and Britain and so many individuals interested to misrepresent it that it is with much diffidence that I venture to offer you any opinion on that subject. The british parliament the members of which are now chiefly elected will not be assembled before the middle of august. Till then very little that can be...
4To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 16 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I write this note just to inclose you a couple of newspapers. Such is the variable & distracted state of affairs at present here and all over Europe that it is impossible to form an opinion one day that events of the next will not overturn. The cabinet of St Jame’s having involved this nation in the fortunes of Prussia—it is next to impossible that a general war shou’d not ensue. France has...
5To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 14 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
By a vessel that sails for Boston tomorrow I inclose You the british king’s speech on the adjournment prior to the late dissolution of parliament—for which dissolution the next day a royal proclamation issued. From the tenor of this speech a general european war is expected. Meanwhile the most extensive naval armaments are preparing in the ports adjacent to all the great dockyards of this...
6To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 3 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I inclosed You a few days ago a parcel of printed papers some of which I conceived might contain interesting intelligence especially if the dispute between Britain & Spain shoud terminate in hostilities, as in such an event the government of the United States woud at least be involved in discussions of considerable importance to our country with one or both of those nations. Among the rest you...
7To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 6 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
Before this reaches You I hope You will have authentic accounts of the late revolution in France. At such a distance from Paris it is difficult to asscertain the truth of such important transactions as have continually taken place since the 14 th of July, at court and in the capital. By Cap t Bond of the Washington I inclosed you a parcel of pamphlets and newspapers which afforded You I hope...
8To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 24 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
By a vessel that departs from hence in half an hour bound for the Potowmack I send you some authentic papers which contain details of the late revolution in the government of France. M r Jefferson’s last letter to me is dated on the 16 th. He confirms most of the facts contained in the printed letter of M. Nairac and in the “Extrait d’une lettre de Paris”—and concludes by remarking that tho’...
9To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 3 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be presented to you by the Hon. William Smith Esquire one of the representaives in Congress from the State of South Carolina—whom I beg leave to introduce to you as a friend and a fellow citizen whose talents, integrity, fortune and connexions are respectable in the eyes of his constituents in the district which he represents, and whose family since the earliest settlement of...
10To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 22 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here in six weeks from the Downs whence the ship in which I came took her departure on the 5 th of Nov r ; a day which all the whigs and many of the tories of Britain celebrated as the hundredth anniversary of the revolution— The party who oppose the administration in that country being about to seize so fair an occasion of canvassing for the next parliament the ministerial myrmidons...