19001Enclosure: A Newspaper Article, 19 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams, Mr. Dana, and Mr. Thaxter, who are arrived, at Paris, came from Boston, in the French Frigate, the Sensible, which had the Misfortune to Spring a Leak, Soon after She Sailed, which increased to Such a degree, that they were obliged to keep two Pumps, constantly going by night and day, the passengers taking their turns, altho, the Crew consisted of Three hundred and fifty men....
19002December 24. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
There are Men who carry the Countenance and Air of Boys through Life. This Evening Mr. Jay told me an extraordinary Story of Lord Mount Steuart, the British Minister at Turin, which he had from Mr. Oswald. Of a rumored plan to divide America between England and France. See John Jay, Diary during the Peace Negotiations of 1782, ed. Frank Monaghan, New Haven, 1934 , p. 15–17; also entry of 5...
19003The American Commissioners to the Conde de Aranda, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 27 th day of Sept r last, and we thank you for your care in transmitting to your Court, the information of our appointment to treat with it. You desire to be informed if one or more of us can repair to Madrid for the purpose of conducting & concluding the negotiation, because that it is the system of your Court in matters...
19004[May 3. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
May 3. 1778. The Business of the Commission had been delayed and neglected in a manner that gave me much uneasiness: Franklin and Lee had been reluctant to engage in it, as I suppose, knowing that they should differ in every thing and both of them as yet uncertain which Side I should take. I had now procured my blank Books, and I took the Letters which We had received into my own hands, and...
19005Wednesday Jany. 8th. 1766. (Adams Papers)
At Home. Wrote &c.
1900628 [i.e. 29] Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams.—What is the proper Business of Mankind in this Life? We come into the World naked and destitute of all the Conveniences and necessaries of Life. And if we were not provided for, and nourished by our Parents or others should inevitably perish as soon as born. We increase in strength of Body and mind by slow and insensible Degrees. 1/3 of our Time is consumed in sleep,...
19007[Monday July 29. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 29. 1776. A long List of Refferences to the Board of War of Letters from Washington, Schuyler, Reed, Trumbull, Convention of New Jersey, Council of Massachusetts &c. &c. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration, whereupon resolved as in the Journal. Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair. Only a portion of...
19008Jonathan Trumbull to the American Commissioners, 29 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress <Hartford, May 29, 1778: This comes by Capt. Robert Niles of the Spy , a state schooner, who brings dispatches from Congress. Lead is in short supply here; please load as much on the Spy as the Captain thinks wise, and advance him what he needs for his expenses and wages.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 169–70. For...
19009January the 14th. 1756. (Adams Papers)
At Worcester. A very rainy Day. Kept school in the forenoon; but not in the afternoon, because of the weather and my own indisposition. JA had come to Worcester “about three weeks after his commencement” at Harvard to keep a school. (Commencement in 1755 fell on 16 July.) The circumstances of his appointment are related in his Autobiography. The school he kept was the “Center School,” built in...
19010Peter Collas to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Passy, October 8, 1778: Last August 6 I left here for Nantes and sailed on the 29th for Boston on the Dispatch , Corbin Barnes, master. I was captured on September 1, and taken into Guernsey; I made my way from there to England and finally to Calais. My trunk was searched and a number of articles were held on the supposition that they were made in England....
19011[October 1760] (Adams Papers)
Waited on Mr. Gridley for his Opinion of my Declaration Lambard v. Tirrell, and for his Advice, whether to enter the Action or not. He says the Declaration is bad and the Writ, if Advantage is taken, will abate. For It is a Declaration on a Parol Lease, not on a Deed, and therefore the Lessee’s Occupancy ought to be sett forth very exactly, for it is his Occupancy, not any Contract, that...
19012[October 1769] (Adams Papers)
Last night I spent the Evening, at the House of John Williams Esqr. the Revenue officer, in Company with Mr. Otis, Jona. Williams Esqr. and Mr. McDaniel a Scotch Gentleman, who has some Connection with the Commissioners, as Clerk, or something. Williams is as sly, secret and cunning a fellow, as need be. The Turn of his Eye, and Cast of his Countenance, is like Thayer of Braintree. In the...
19013[May 6. Wednesday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
May 6. Wednesday. 1778. Franklin told Us one of his Characteristic Stories. A Spanish Writer of certain Vissions of Hell, relates that a certain evil Spirit he met with who was civil and well bred, shewed him all the Apartments in the place. Among others that of deceased Kings. The Spaniard was much amused at so illustrious a Sight, and after viewing them for sometime, said he should be glad...
19014Saturday Jany. 11th. 1766. (Adams Papers)
A Rain. In one particular, I must confess the Americans have not acted with their usual Acuteness of Understanding, and Firmness of Spirit. I mean in that very strange Piece of Conduct of their shutting the Courts of Justice. I call it their Conduct, tho it is apparently against the general Judgment of the People, and it ought to be charged on a few Individuals, who have Other Things in View...
19015Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As thier hath ben a moust Valueable Whale fishry discoverd by the people of England Since the preasent contest with America and a thing of the utmoust Consequence to the above poeple—if it is your minds to destroy it I Should be glad to give you all the information that is in my Power to affect the Same. I have ben in the busaness my self and was very Senceable I was doing Rong, therefore...
19016Resolution on Pardoning Power, 28 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Resolved That the General, or Commander in Chief for the Time being Shall have full Power of pardoning, or mitigating any of the Punishments ordered to be inflicted, for any of the Offences mentioned in the Rules and Articles for the better Government of the Troops, raised, or to be raised and kept in Pay, by and at the expence of the united States of America, the fourth Article resolved in...
1901727 Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Rose at 7. Read carefully 30 lines, in Virgil. Wrote a little in Bolingbroke at noon and a little at night. Spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams.
19018Report of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, 25 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
In pursuance of a resolution of the House of Representatives, bearing date of the 19th of this instant, we lay before them a copy of the journal of our Board, and a statement of the purchases made since our last report to Congress. We have the honor, sir, to be, your most obedient servants, ASP American State Papers, Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States...
19019Sunday [2 March]. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Wibirt.
19020Tuesday. June 17th. (Adams Papers)
Arose before the sun again. This is the last day. What, and who to day? Ebenezer Hayden was altogether new and unexpected. Hollis him self was altogether new and unexpected and John Hayward was altogether new and unexpected. 3 entirely new Clients, all from Captn. Thayers own Parish, and one of whom is himself a Pretender to the Practice, are a considerable Acquisition. I believe, by the Writ...
19021William Lee to the American Commissioners, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Virginia Historical Society As you have now furnish’d me with the copy of the Treaty, I do not know of any reason for remaining here any longer, therefore propose setting out for Vienna in two or 3 daies to execute my appointment at that Court, provided you will supply me with the necessary funds to bear the expence of my Commission. The money will not be immediately requisite, as a...
19022The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us on the Seventh of this Month, We duely received. In our Letter of the twenty Sixth of the last Month respecting the Goods of Mr. Izard on board the Nile, we cited the Sixteenth Article of the Treaty of Commerce, in Support of Mr. Izards claim, which your Excellency thinks an Error, and that it is the Fourteenth Article which...
19023David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Memorial, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives The proposition which has been made for an universal & unlimited reciprocity of Intercourse & Commerce, between Great-Britain and the American United-States, requires a very serious Consideration on the part of Great-Britain, for the reasons already stated...
1902431 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
A rainy forenoon. Dined at Mr. Paines. A fair after noon . The Nature and Essence of the material World is not less conceal’d from our knowledge than the Nature and Essence of God. We see our selves surrounded on all sides with a vast expanse of Heavens, and we feel our selves astonished at the Grandeur, the blazing Pomp of those Starrs with which it is adorned. The Birds fly over our Heads...
19025The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay...
19026Committee Report on Naming a Day of Prayer and Humiliation, 17 October 1770 (Adams Papers)
17 October 1770. MS not found. Draft prepared by a committee appointed 16 October composed of JA , Timothy Danielson, and James Warren. The committee’s report, submitted the following day, was recommitted and, at the same time, JA was excused from the committee with Samuel Holten appointed in his place ( Mass., House Jour. Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts [1715–],...
19027Report of the Braintree Committee for the Sale of the North Common, 30 September 1765 (Adams Papers)
The Committee appointed by the Town for the Sale of the North Commons offered their Report to the Town and therewith exhibited a number of Bonds payable to the Treasurer of said Town being the produce of the Sale of said Commons together with the account of their Expences. The Report as follows (viz.). We the subscribers the Committee appointed to make Sale of the North Commons beg leave to...
19028July 6th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Mayhew of Martha’s Vineyard.
19029Asking for Prayers on the Death of a Grandchild, 1809 (Adams Papers)
John Adams with his Consort and their Family desire prayers that the death of a grandchild may be Sanctified to them. They also request your Prayers for their Children and grand Children, in remote Countries abroad and distant parts at home, that thir Lives and health may be preserved from dangers by Sea and land and in due time returned in Safety to their Country and their Friends. ICN .
19030Adams’ Diary Notes on the Right of Juries: 1771. Feby. 12. (Adams Papers)
At a Time, when the Barriers against Popery, erected by our Ancestors, are suffered to be destroyed, to the hazard even of the Protestant Religion: When the system of the civil Law which has for so many Ages and Centuries, been withstood by the People of England, is permitted to become fashionable: When so many Innovations are introduced, to the Injury of our Constitution of civil Government:...
19031Draft Articles on the Fisheries and Creditors, 28 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
That the Subjects of his Britannic Majesty and the People of the Said United States Shall continue to enjoy, unmolested, the Right to take Fish of every Kind, on the Grand Bank and on all the other Banks of Newfoundland: also in the Gulph of St Laurence, and in all other Places, where the Inhabitants of both Countries, used at any time heretofore to fish; and the Citizens of the Said United...
19032The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai communiqué á M. de Sartine, Messieurs, la Lettre, par la quelle vous demandez qu’il soit donné escorte aux Batimens en partance qui Sont destinés pour les Ports des Etats Unis. Ce Ministre vient de me repondré qu’il n’est point possible d’accorder cette Escorte pour toute la traversée, mais que les Batimens en question seront conduits jusqu’aux parages qui pourront les mettre a l’Abri des...
190333 Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Dind at the Colonels. Lodged at Put nam’s .
19034Robert R. Livingston to the American Peace Commissioners, 25 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the favor of your joint Letter by the Washington, together with a Copy of the preliminary Articles —Both were laid before Congress— The Articles have met their warmest approbation, and have been generally seen by the People in the most favorable point of view. The steadiness manifested in not treating without an express acknowledgment of your Independence previous to a...
19035Adams’ Minutes of the Trial: New Hampshire Court Maritime, Portsmouth, 16 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Sewall. 3 Causes sett forth. Resolve of Congress, 25 Novr. 1775. March 23d. 1776. Law of N. Hampshire, principally relyd on. In June 1776. 1777 April 19. Septr. 5, 1776. Vessell and Cargo the Property of Sherja. Bourne, who thought it safest to go to E ngland and take shelter under the Wing of his Majesty K. George. Register, in the Name of S. Bourne, 3 Aug. 1776. Invoices from Lane Son &...
19036VI. “U” to the Boston Gazette, 29 August 1763 (Adams Papers)
My worthy and ingenious friend, Mr. J , having strutted and foamed his hour upon the stage and acquired as well as deserved a good reputation as a man of sense and learning, some time since made his exit, and now is heard no more. Soon after Mr. Js departure, your present correspondent made his appearance; but has not yet executed his intended plan.—Mr. J inlisted himself under the banners of...
19037Monday March 4. 1776. (Adams Papers)
Resentment is a Passion, implanted by Nature for the Preservation of the Individual. Injury is the Object which excites it. Injustice, Wrong, Injury excites the Feeling of Resentment, as naturally and necessarily as Frost and Ice excite the feeling of cold, as fire excites heat, and as both excite Pain. A Man may have the Faculty of concealing his Resentment, or suppressing it, but he must and...
19038VIII. “Letters from a Distinguished American,” No. 10, 6 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Let us proceed with our cool meditations. The author says, “Another argument much relied on by the advocates for American Independence, is, that a similarity of laws, religion, and manners, has formed an attachment between the People of Great Britain and America, which will insure to Great Britain a preference in the trade of America.” A similarity of laws facilitates business. It may be done...
19039An Act for the Limitation of Personal Actions, 20 November 1770 (Adams Papers)
20 November 1770. MS , engrossed copy, signed by Hutchinson ( M-Ar ). Printed: Mass., Province Laws The Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay , Boston, 1869–1922; 21 vols. , 5:109–111. Prepared by a committee appointed 16 October composed of JA , John Worthington, and Joseph Hawley ( Mass., House Jour. Journals of the House of Representatives of...
19040Puchelberg & Cie. to the American Commissioners, 26 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <L’Orient, August 26, 1778, in French: We refer to our letter of the 24th and to the arrival of the General Mifflin , Captain Daniel McNeill. McNeill wishes to sell the recaptured French ship [ Isabelle ]. Since his commission and those of his officers conform to Captain Tucker’s, it may be necessary for him to report his captures to Tucker and divide the...
19041The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 27 [i.e., 28] November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We are desired by the Ministry to inform ourselves as precisely as possible, at what Time the Vessells bound to America will be ready to Sail.—it is Said that upon a former Occasion the Convoy was obliged to wait a long Time, an Inconvenience that it is wished may be avoided upon this occasion. We beg your earliest...
19042James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of advising you the 29th. ultimo of the departure of the Raleigh and Alfred Frigates. I am now to inform you, that in consequence of your power to me dated December last, I apply’d to Mr. Gourlade of this place on the subject of it; as much from a desire of complying with your and Mr. Chaumont’s intention, as judging him worthy of that...
19043VIII. Governor Winthrop to Governor Bradford, Some Fragments, January 1767 (Adams Papers)
I am Sorry to find Phylanthrop, attempting to vindicate the high flying, Maxims, the arbitrary Precedents, and the Tyrannical Practices of that self sufficient Innovator that arrogant, pedantical Tyrant King James the first. This Exception in the Dedimus, is laying the Ax to the Root of the Tree of Liberty. It is Hewing it down, or tearing it up, as Nero swore he would Virtue by the Roots....
19044Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12[-14] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 12[-14], 1779: The States of Holland reassemble tomorrow. The French ambassador has received an express message from his court. January 13: I learn that Amsterdam will have permission to trade with the French West Indies, and I have been authorized to inform certain friendly merchant houses of this....
19045Decr. 31st. 1766. (Adams Papers)
“Whatever tends to create in the Minds of the People, a Contempt of the Persons of those who hold the highest Offices in the State, tends to a Belief that Subordination is not necessary, and is no essential Part of Government.”—Now I dont See the Truth of this. Should any one say that the Steeple of Dr. Sewals Meeting was old, and decay’d and rotten, and in danger of falling on the Heads of...
19046XII. “Letters from a Distinguished American,” No. 12, Unpublished, 22 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Before We dismiss these cool Thoughts it may not be amiss to Subjoin a few Reflections, upon the Certainty of American Independance. We have repeated the Word Rebellion, untill the People have been wrought Up, to a Pitch of Passion and Enthusiasm, which has rendered them incapable of listening to the Still voice of Reason. Men are governed by Words, their Passions are inflamed by Words. Policy...
19047Memorandum Concerning an Invitation from the Neutral Maritime Confederacy to the United States of America, 12 August … (Adams Papers)
The Project in Some of the foreign Gazettes, of an Invitation from the neutral maritime Confederacy, to the United States of America, to acceed to the Principles of their Treaty, is founded in evident Justice, Humanity and Utility. The Case of America is a new one. It has no Example in History, and therefore no Reasonings can be drawn from Example to decide it. All the World agrees that the...
19048June 26 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
June 26 Saturday.