1John Brown Cutting to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
It may perhaps afford you satisfaction to learn that M r Adams and his secretary pro tempore arrived at the Crown Inn within the ramparts of this naval arsenal last evening before eight, after a journey as pleasant as coud be expected considering the unverdant aspect of far the greater portion of the country through which we travel’d. To speak candidly (excepting the farm at Cobham) I never...
2John Brown Cutting to Abigail Adams, 28 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
Agreably to the intimation in the note I had the pleasure to address you from the Inn —we reached Harwich the next morning by eight, where Cap t Flynn soon recognized his Excellency and congratulated himself on the prospect of once more conveying him to Holland. Yet he did not forget politely to regret that M rs Adams was now absent and cou’d not therefore join in “his triumph nor partake the...
3To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 13 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
A croud of thanks to You for the pleasure and instruction I have received from your defence of the american constitutions. I have as yet read it but three times, because I wish to forget it a little before I read it a fourth; but I find that impossible: I shall therefore only wait till you give us the augmentation promised. Let me intreat You for the sake of mankind in general and the united...
4To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, [ante 25 August 1787] (Adams Papers)
M r Cutting presents respectful compliments to the American Minister and returning his warmest acknowledgments for the entertainment and invaluable instruction comprised in those sheets of his second Volume entitled a defence of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America (with which M r C. was lately favour’d and which having read rapidly once he is now again perusing with...
5To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 17 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
This moment I have been notified of the first opportunity I have known since your departure of writing to Boston. Altho it be past eleven at night I have dispatch’d a servant to M r Copley for such letters as he may have had deposited for you in George Street during the last six weeks:—to which when I have superadded a few recent newspapers and a very few words—I must close my parcel. In one...
6To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 28 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
I made up a parcel (directed for you by the Commerce) on the evening of the 17 th ; but M r Prentice who was to forward the same to Gravesend cou’d not be found. He has since absented himself from his english creditors—who say that he owes them forty thousand pounds. Bankruptcies however are so frequent and fashionable here now that fresh ones occur every day and are mention’d as mere matters...
7To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 12 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose you a copy of the southern whale fishery bill—which I cou’d not obtain early enough to send forward when I last wrote. I likewise subjoin additionally to what I have already written to you on the subject—the transcript of a line or two on the same topic to M r Jefferson. As I expect to embark for Charlestown in a very few days—probably by the 25 th of this...
8To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 8 October 1788 (Adams Papers)
Many unexpected obstacles have concur’d to detain me man months longer than I either wish’d or meant to remain here. I have not however been idle or inactive. Nor have my exertions been altogether selfish. On the contrary I have attempted to discharge the duty of a good citizen—from the simple impulse of republican integrity—with an immediate reference to some of the great interests of our...
9To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 12 October 1788 (Adams Papers)
The following was the return of the Greenland Fishery on the 17 th of June last. made here London ships Number of Fish Whitby Ships Number of Fish Broderick 5 Ann & Elizabeth 2 John and Margaret 7 El Falconberg 2 Butterworth 3 Resolution
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...
11To 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...
12To 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’...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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....
20To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 25 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you some papers containing details of a revolution in the government of France which if they shou’d reach New York before the official account of this great transaction by Mr Jefferson may probably afford you some satisfaction. With the highest respect & purest esteem I have the honor to be your fellow citizen and most obedt sert ALS , DNA:PCC , item 78. John Brown...
21To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you an english newspaper wherein is inserted the copy of a treaty between the king of Prussia and the sublime Porte. This copy I am informed by a foreigner of veracity who perused the original at the house of the imperial minister, is a genuine translation. The terms of it are such that a war between the respective parties to it in conjunction with the kings of...
22To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 22 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose to You a few stanzas which several persons, eminent in polite literature—and who have moreover the honor of a more intimate acquaintance with you than myself—affirm to be neither inelegant unjust nor unworthy of the subject on the occasion. I rejoice in this opportunity of testifying the fervency of that attachment and patriotic homage with which I am, your very...
23To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 4 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding Mr. Parker, who is soon to profit from the honor of a personal acquaintance with you in Paris, will smooth his passage to that intercourse by introductory letters both of Mr. Adams and Colonel Smith, the weight of those characters with Your Excellency compar’d with the levity of my claims to Your confidence must make every post-recommendation of him from me unrequisite as it is...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 26 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the departure of our late Minister from this court I have been detained here merely by private engagements. I have not however abstain’d from scrutinizing some portion of the public measures of this Country, especially that section of them during the last part of the present session of parliament which includes, a few among their many, views upon the United States. For assuming the...
25To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 11 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to congratulate you upon the adoption of the new national constitution of our country by the State of South Carolina. I cannot ascertain the precise numbers of the Convention, but the main question was carried by a majority of sixty six members, not without warm debate. I have mutilated a couple of newspapers which contain nothing beside the intelligence stamp’d on the columns cut out....
26To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, [ca. 24 July 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last which Col. Trumbull had the goodness to inclose and superscribe I have been confined by severe indisposition; otherwise I shou’d have informed You by the last post that New Hampshire had adopted the new constitution by a large majority on the 24th of June. Altho I have not learned the particulars as to numbers &c. the fact may be relied upon. Beside the attestation of Capt....
27To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 3 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not yet had the honor to receive that letter of the 24th which you mention in a subsequent one of July 28th. inclosed to Col. Trumbull. I am to thank you for the only satisfactory account of the naval victory on the black sea that has reach’d this Island. It affords me satisfaction to learn that Jones commanded:—tis but a few weeks since the english papers were filled with the most...
28To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 8 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heretofore had the honor to announce to you the accession of South Carolina, Maryland and New Hampshire to the new national System of government for the United States. But neither of those annunciations, not even the assent of the last (which made the ninth ) State legitimating a fresh union afforded me that degree of satisfaction which I feel in now communicating to you the...
29To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 14 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 24th had so tardy a passage to me that I supposed it must have been interscepted, especially as a subsequent one of the 28th came punctually and with speed. To the latter I have already replied. For the political statements and weighty intelligence of the former I am greatly indebted. It is impracticable to learn aught here untinctur’d with english prejudices which are...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 15 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jarvis has been so long detained beyond the time which he at first proposed as the period when he meant to proceed for Paris, that my letters have accumulated on his hands. This evening however he assures me is the last previous to his departure. I have therefore devoted two or three hours in hunting at the several Coffee houses for recent intelligence from America, and more particularly...
31To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 22 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the latest pennsylvania newspaper which I can procure; likewise a Baltimore paper for the sake of General Washington’s letter . I also take the freedom to inclose a letter for Mr. Shippen from his father, not knowing where to direct to him, and imagining that Mr. Short will add to his former goodness the additional kindness to forward it in a direction likely to...
32To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 30 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper contains some few articles of intelligence which perhaps may not have reached you by any other channel. When the last vessels quitted New York about the 8th of July, the convention of that State still continued to debate upon the great question of rejecting or adopting the national constitution and it is with concern I perceive that the probabilities against an immediate...
33To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 6 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I was sensibly mortified on perusal of your letter of the 23d of Aug. to find that I was not the medium through which the earliest information of the late important event in Virginia reached you from England. Especially as the prompt communication of fresh american intelligence has hitherto been the only return I cou’d make for a throng of obligations with which You have so surrounded me that...
34To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 16 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your respective favours of Sepr. 4th and 9th are before me. For both but especially for the last accept my sincere thanks. Truth and certainty are always most grateful to the human mind. Your mode of conveying them and the important objects concerning which you enlighten me, render what is naturally pleasant particularly interesting and grateful. As my passage to South Carolina must be...
35To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 23 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am but this moment returned from an excursion into the Country which has occupied me almost ever since I wrote You on tuesday last. I hope You did not think the parcel too large which I then forwarded. The New York packet brought nothing so interesting or so recent. I now inclose You two Philadelphia Newspapers which I have just received from a gentleman who was a respectable member of the...
36To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 30 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My two last to you were dated on the tuesday mornings preceding the present. I hope you have at least received that letter which is now a fortnight old. In it I had condensed the most recent articles of american intelligence: a portion of ‘em in newspapers but the greatest part in writing. Possibly the worthy gentlemen in the respective post offices of the two nations were longer in amusing...
37To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 5 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Gardner the bearer hereof is a citizen of Massachusetts (and a mercantile inhabitant of Boston) in whom is no guile. Being a total stranger in France, (as well as unacquainted with the language,) and ever likely so to remain from the simplicity of his habits and the modesty of his disposition, I cou’d not refuse affording this opportunity to him of adding his grateful attestation to mine...
38To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 6 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Truth, lovely truth, obliges me to correct the intelligence transmitted in my two last concerning the purport of the proceedings in North Carolina. It is true that the Convention of that State have not ratified the new fœderal constitution. But it is not true either that they have absolutely abstracted the state from the Union or manifested a disposition to remain detached therefrom. Neither...
39To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 7 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter yesterday which I prepar’d with rapidity for the mail of today (resolute not again to incur the accusation of inattention or tardiness as heretofore) yours of Octr. 2d is received: and likewise a small parcel which I can safely convey to New York as you request within a few days. I propose directing it to Mr. Osgood that the official superscription may neither alarm the fears...
40To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 17 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Respecting the prohibition of american wheat here there is little to be learnt. The fact speaks for itself. The apprehension of introducing a pernicious insect into the future growth of wheat in this country is the pretext or ostensible ground of the measure. If there be truth in the rumour that american wheat is also prohibited in Hanover, fear of the insect may possibly be the real ground...
41To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 27 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
An unexpected opportunity to Bourdeaux affords me a chance of contributing to your entertainment by the inclosed papers. Time will not permit me nor my limited sources of intelligence, to enter into any satisfactory details of the affairs of this state or the union, much more to obtrude any opinions of my own. I am unaffectedly to thank You for the communications you have heretofore made to,...
42To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 22 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 22 May 1789 . Is again in Europe after voyage of six weeks from South Carolina. Is rejoiced that TJ has not gone to New York. Hopes to be in Paris in a fortnight. Asks TJ to forward enclosed letters to Rutledge. Is exhausted with fatigue. If he can get baggage through customs early enough, will enclose a few newspapers by next post. Remains with “unabated attachment” and sends...
43To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, [30 May 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
I hoped on this day to have set off for Paris and rather wishing to speak with than write to you, you received no line from me by the last posts. Finding now that I may be detained perhaps another week in London before I am prepared to visit you, I pen a word or two according to my former habit, rather to prevent any imputation of negligence on your part than to offer much information on mine....
44To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 9 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
This day I meant to have condensed in a letter of some length the freshest advices from America, but just as I sat down for the purpose a parcel of newspapers came to hand which really supercede the necessity. I have not perused them. Pray have the goodness to preserve them for me. In glancing an eye over a few of the articles I perceive they contain matter that must amuse and interest you....
45To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 11 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As soon as I arrived in this city being sensible of your solicitude to hasten across the atlantic I made particular enquiry how many american vessels there were in the river, to what ports they were bound and when they might be expected to sail for the United States. I found that fifteen american vessels had just put to sea altogether, that three only remained in port, and that neither of...
46To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 21 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Last thursday evening and during the whole of the next day this City was in a ferment. An uncertain account of the late commotions in Paris and Versailles occasion’d it. Fortunately a special courier sent hither by a Mr. Neriac one of the deputies for this place to the states general brought an authentic sketch of what had happen’d, otherwise the house and life of every suspected person in...
47To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 8 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
There are letters in town from America dated as late as the 4th of August, but I have not been able to get at them. The inclosed papers contain all I have to send you by this post: by the next perhaps I may obtain something still more interesting. The newspapers of this metropolis continue their wonted traffic of lies. Two will serve You for a specimen. “To such a height have disturbances...
48To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 11 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
It being my sincere aim and ardent desire to satisfy the creditors of South Carolina, in every particular, I have at the request of the house in Amsterdam transmitted under cover to Mr. Jacob Vanstaphorst the letter to Governor Pinckney which was committed to my care. I seriously believe and hope You will not impute to my agency all the trouble which has been given You in the affair. This...
49To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 15 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
By some accident the inclosed did not get into the post office timely enough on friday evening to be forwarded. I have not heard of any more recent arrivals from America. The Legislature of New York have chosen General Schuyler and Mr. Rufus King to represent them in the senate of Congress. The appointment of the latter to so high an office is the most signal instance of disregard to local...
50To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 18 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Owing to the tardiness of the penny post man I did not receive your letter of the tenth timely enough to answer it on tuesday evening. I mistook the papers you had the goodness to send me for copies, and supposing the originals were of record with you, did not forget, but omitted to return them to you in Paris. I now inclose them to you with many apologies for an omission that has cost you a...