1From John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 24 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of 23. oct r. and I must confess to you, that the situation I am in is the most pleasant in many respects, that I have ever been in, on this side the ocean. But still there is something wanting, which is quite essential: I mean a more benevolent spirit in the Nation towards the United States— a more honest disposition too is wanting— I even wish that my Candour...
2John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 8 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
It was with very great Pleasure, that I learn’d your Return to Congress, and Election to the Chair. indeed So many names that are familiar to me make me wish myself with you. a Congress So respectable as the present must have great Weight both at home and abroad. it is only by Sending to that Assembly, the best Men and most respectable Characters, that the People can expect to have their Union...
3From John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 29 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Appointment of a Secretary of foreign Affairs, interrupts the Official Correspondence, with your Excellency, and I know too well the constant Employment of the Time of the President of Congress to flatter myself with hopes of many private Letters. I may not however Suffer my son to return home, as he must go by the Way of New York without a Letter of Introduction to the President...
4From John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 6 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Honour of receiving your Letter of the first of August, and I pray you to accept of my Thanks for your kind Attention and obliging Civilities to my son. It was the first News We had of him Since he Sail’d from L’Orient. I hope that, after remaining in N. York long enough to pay his Respects where they were due, he made haste to Boston. Your Reasoning, Sir, both upon the...
5From John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 26 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be delivered you by M r: C. S. of Boston, who has lived much in my family & done me much service as a private Seretary, and that without any other reward than the opinion that he was doing service to his Country.— The time was approaching when the K. of Prussia was to make the annual review of his Army, & the month of August is so disagreable & unwholesome in London that all...
6From John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 15 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me on the 28 May, and am fully of your Opinion of the Importance of Concord between our Country and this and of the Causes which obstruct it. The Malignity of disappointed Men is astonishing; but the Change of Language, if not of Sentiment, of Some who have not been disappointed is more so. in Truth Sir, some, who foresaw the Success of...