2751To John Adams from William Wildes, 1 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
The citizens of the Towns of Braintree and Weymouth intending to celebrate the anniversary of our national birth on Saturday next, a procession will be formed near the new Meeting-house in Braintree at ten A.M., in which an address will be delivered: after which a dinner will be served in tents on the field—Several corps of Military will perform the duties of the day. The committee of...
2752From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 2 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Having just received your letter, accepting the office of Secretary of the Treasury, it is necessary that I should authorize & request you, as I do by this letter, to continue to execute all the functions of Secretary of War, untill further arrangements are made in that office. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2753From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Alexander Carmalt of North Carolina to be surveyor and inspector of the port of Swansborough in the place of John McCollough Esqr. deceased. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2754From John Adams to John Taylor, 27 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
When Superior genius gives greater Influence in Society than is possessed by inferiour Genius or a mediocrity of Genius, i.e than by the ordinary level of Men, this Superiour Influence, I call natural Aristocracy. This cause you Say is “fluctuating.” What then? It is Aristocracy Still while it exits. And is not Democracy “fluctuating” too? Are the Waves of the Sea, or the Winds of the Air or...
2755To John Adams from Aaron Bancroft, 1 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bancroft begs leave to intrude upon the retirement of Dr. Adams to present him an Election Sermon, in evidence of the respect he feels for his character, and as a tribute of gratitude for his public services. MHi : Adams Papers.
2756The American Commissioners to John Gilbank, 26 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have received your Letter of the twenty first of this Month, and in Answer to it, We assure you that We cannot indorse your Bills, as you propose. We are your humble servants In JA ’s hand.
2757John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 22d came to hand this Morning. I shall leave it wholly to Mr. Thaxters Judgment, what Lectures you are to attend, as at this distance I cannot form any opinion. You will apply the most of your Attention, I hope, to your Latin and Greek Master, for the present. I am pleased to see that you recollect the 22 of December, the day on which, those Patriots and Heroes landed at Plymouth,...
2758To John Adams from Charles Bulfinch, 11 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I avail myself of the earliest opportunity, to have the honour of forwarding to you, a Copy of the eulogy deliverd in this town, at the request of the inhabitants, in honour of the late General Washington. The loss which the community has sustained, is here felt with as sincere emotions, as by those who have been favourd with a personal and more intimate acquaintance with that great man. I am,...
2759To John Adams from Celia Thaxter, 16 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
Received of the Honorable John Adams Esq. by Cotton Tufts Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents in full for one years Interest on said Adams’s promisory Note bearing Date March 29. 1802. given to me the Subscriber— MHi : Adams Papers.
2760From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr John C. Gray, Son of your Friend the once Lt. Governor will present this Letter to you. By the Letter, C. in his name, I presume, is signified Chipman, for he is a Grandson by his Mother of John Chipman Esquire a Barrister at Law in Marblehead, with whom I lived very pleasantly a Week at a Tavern in Pownalborough in 1764. Mr Gray proposes to travel, all over Europe, but wishes for your...
2761To John Adams from James McHenry, 8 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you the proceedings of a Court Martial held at Richmond for the Seal of Lieut James Triplett of the first regiment of Artillerists and Engineers— I have the honor to be / with great Respect / Your obed servant. DLC : James McHenry Papers.
2762From John Adams to John Jay, 16 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
Two Days ago, I received the Letter, you did me the Honour to write me, on the 16. of Oct r. with its Enclosures. The Approbation of my Conduct in Europe expressed in the Resolution of Congress of the fifth of October, does me honour, and demands my Acknowledgments. The Permission to return to America and the termination of my Commission in Holland, having removed all Difficulties, It is my...
2763From John Adams to John Jay, 29 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The United States began their Career upon the most liberal System of Policy Commerce: France met them with a liberal System too, or rather with an Artfull Appearance of it. Her Practice during the War was more liberal than the Treaty. Since the Peace She has contracted it a little, as She had a Right to do, by excluding Some of her Produce and Some of our Ships from her West India Islands; and...
2764From John Adams to Samuel Adams, Sr., 11 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was but two days ago that I recived your obliging Letter of the Seventeenth of April by Mr Wyllis. I have found this Gentleman as you represent him intelligent, observing and impartial. I have had much pleasure in his conversation and expect more. I thank you Sir for your kind congratulations. As to party Papers they will represent Us as they please: and there is no remedy but Patience, and...
2765From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 January 1808 (Adams Papers)
As I know you hold a higher Rank in the intellectual Scale and a more estimable Situation in the moral Gradations of the Universe than Admiral Nelson, I know of no reason why I should not borrow his Fathers Epithets and for once or twice bestow them upon you. I, who perhaps ought to be indifferent to all Things in this World, and certainly Should conscientiously resign all Men Measures and...
2766To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
Since my departure from the United States, I have had the pleasure of receiving two letters from by brother and one from my Mother but it has not yet been my good fortune to receive one from you— I have however had the satisfaction of reading your writings in the Patriot, untill the beginning of November; and hope to have the continuation of them, by the first arrivals from Boston, which are...
2767To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 14 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
Mr Finch an English gentleman of science and great ardour in geological and mineralogical pursuits intending to pay his respects to you at Quincy has requested this letter of introduction for that purpose. He is grandson of Dr: Priestley and has visited this country for the prosecution of his inquiries into in science, and is particularly desirous of being made known to you. In which I am...
2768From John Adams to James McHenry, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am so continually entertained with applications to be chaplains & surgeons, that I pray you to give me some idea of your designs upon this important subject. Inclosed is a letter from Dr. Blake. Be so good as to send me a list of the twelve candidates to be Surgeons of Col Rice’s regiment. Are we to appoint regimental surgeons or only hospital surgeons? MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2769John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 25 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed there is a vessel soon to sail from Amsterdam for Boston, I now forward to M r. Bourne to go by her, this letter enclosing copies of my numbers 2 and 3. upon the Etat de la France &c. The book itself will go with the copy of my first letter concerning it, from Hamburg— Hauterive has generally been given out as its author; but Talleyrand himself is now understood to have had...
2770From John Adams to United States Senate, 3 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Enoch S. Lane of Virginia to be a Lieutenant of Marines DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2771To John Adams from Stephen Higginson, 12 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer hereof, William Gray Esqr an eminent merchant of Salem, desirous of making some representation respecting the Commerce of our Country, has requested of me an introduction to you— Mr. Grays character you are probably in some good measure, at least acquainted with, it is certainly very respectable in the mercantile line.— With great respect I have the honor to be / Sir your most hum...
2772From John Adams to William Smith, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Pleasure of Mr. Smith’s Company to Dine, on thursday next, at ½ past 2 o’clock. An answer is requested. MHi : Adams Papers.
2773From John Adams to Henry Colman, 14 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your request in your favour of the 12th I have written to the President and the Secretary at war letters which will go in the mail tomorrow. The substance of all I have written is that from a personal knowledge and agreeable acquaintance I am fully persuaded. The Government may repose entire confidence in the candour and integrity of any representations you may make relative...
2774To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith a Letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue dated the 23d instant, with the Statement of the Exports of the United States therein mentioned. I have the honor to be / with perfect respect / Sir / Your Obedient Servant DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2775To John Adams from Lewis B. Sturges, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I learn that Samuel Smedley Esqr. Collector of the Customs for this District has applied for the Office at New Haven – vacant by the Death of David Austine Esq – in Case he shou’d be promoted to that Office – it is my wish (if considered consistent with the public interest) to succeed him here,—As I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Excellency—I take the liberty of...
2776To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour respectfully to submit the inclosed list of names of Candidates to fill certain vacancies in the 13th Regiment, with the letters of recommendation upon which the list has been formed. It will be proper to observe, that Capn. Chew has not yet signified whither he intends to accept or decline his appointment, of course, your approbation of the person named to fill his place,...
2777From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 24 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a petition of Mr. Joseph Morgan & a letter from Mr. John Brown of Providence for your examination. I perceive Mr. Morgan has an inclination to be Superintendent at Springfield. But it is not yet certain there will be a vacancy there & if it were I know not what other candidates may be on your lists With great regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2778To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a Letter from Genl. Hamilton, recommending Mr. Frederick N. Hudson for the Appointment of Midshipman in the Navy—Capt. Talbot is desirous of having this young Gentleman with him—I have therefore, enclosed his Warrant, which will require your signature, if you think fit that the Appointment should be made. I have the honor to be, sir / with the greatest respect &...
2779To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Joseph Whitmore, covering his Warrant as a Sailing Master in the Navy, which will require your signature, should you think fit that the Appointment should be made. He is well recommended by the letters enclosed—and is wanted for the ship Warren. I have the honor to be, with the / greatest respect & esteem, sir, / your most obedt. servt. MHi : Adams...
2780From John Adams to John Taylor, 9 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Mr. John M Carter, Your “Inquiry,” in 656 Pages, neatly bound. If I had any rational Expectation in my 79th. Year, of Life health, unclouded Eyes and unparralysed fingers, for 20 Years to come: I would chearfully engage with you, in an analitical Investigation of all those Subjects, which you Say, have amused Some of your Leisure hours for 20 Years past. The Field is vast....
2781From John Adams to Samuel Perkins, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I commit my Grandsons to the Guardianship of yourself and Mrs Perkins and pray you to hold them under your Wings till you can deliver them to their Parents. I will thank you to write to their Father and receive his requests concerning them.— Your drafts for necessary Expences, will be honoured by him in Europe, by his Brother or by me, as you find convenient. I hope they will be little, for I...
2782From John Adams to Samuel Smith, 13 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the first of this month, in answer to mine of the twenty fifth of November—It is not less frank and candid, than prompt and punctual. I have only to remark that you were certainly mistaken when you thought that I “was personlly hostile to you.” Your brother Robert I never saw in my life, nor had any communication with him of any kind while I had any share in...
2783To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State presents to the President the inclosed letters received last evening from Morristown, announcing the dissolution of the Circuit Court—with the reasons stated by the Judges. MHi : Adams Papers.
2784To John Adams from William Marshall, 4 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this William Fletcher (Son to William Fletcher an honest & industrious Man and member of the associate Church in this City) has been regularly bred to the Sea and I am well informed is sober and well behaved: He is desirous to enter into the Service of the Navy as a Midshipman, if your Excellency would be pleased to give him a Commission. For this purpose I now address you whom I...
2785To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 31 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
The total defeat of the Emigrants who had effected a descent in Britanny, as mentioned in my last Letter, and the Peace between France and Spain signed at Basle on the 22d: of July, and since ratified by both parties are events of such consequence that they will be fully known in America, before this letter can reach you. It is scarcely possible that any interesting intelligence should be...
2786To John Adams from Daniel Leonard, 30 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Will you permit me to address you in the stile of our former familiarity? My heart recognises all its former friendship and I flatter myself you sometimes recollect with pleasure our professional intimacy. I had promised myself the honor of again waiting on you before I returned to Bermuda, but was obliged to come to this city with all diligence in order to avail myself of a passage in an...
2787To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Letter, which I have this morning received from Colo. Carrington, in favour of Francis S. Taylor, a Candidate for the Office of Collector of Norfolk; and also two Letters from Col. Carrington, in favour of Major James Gibbon another candidate for the same office. I have the honour to be / with the greatest respect / Sir, / your mo. obedt. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
2788To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 9 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Mr. Lemuel Little, covering his Warrant, as a Sailing Master, which will require your Signature, should you think fit, that the appointment should be made— This Gentleman is intended for the Frigate Congress, Capt Sever, by whom he is strongly recommended—He is brother to Capt. George Little, of the Boston. I have the honor to be, with / the...
2789To John Jay from John Adams, 9 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
France appears at this Moment, in the Light of a Simple People Sincerely disposed to Peace, benevolence and Humanity, and judging of the dispositions of others by her own. She Seems by her late Glory and Prosperity to have been Soothed into a Security and Tranquility, out of which it is Scarce possible to awaken her. England on the other hand appears, like a Nation Smarting under her Wounds,...
2790To John Adams from Roger Griswold, 29 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
A Gentleman who is a member of the Senate of the United States has informed me that you have done me the honour, to nominate me to the Senate, to fill the office of Secretary of War. Without detailing to you the reasons which opperate conclusively upon my mind, but which can be of no importance except to myself, I deem it my duty, at this early period to inform you, that in case the Senate...
2791To John Adams from A. Baird, 2 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Herewith we transmit you the Address of the subscribers, Democratic Republicans, of the Town and County of Washington in the State of Pennsylvania—in whose behalf / We are, Sir / your Obdt. Servts. MHi : Adams Papers.
2792From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased with your project for the employment of the United States and Constitution explained in your favor of the 25 June & am willing you should unite the Boston with them but mean not to enjoin it. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2793From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Recommendations of Rufus Graves and Joseph Dunham, from Mr Freeman and Letters from themselves requesting Appointments in the Army. And some notes of Observations made to me verbally and put down on paper at my desire, which you may consider at present and return to me when I meet you again, if ever DLC : James McHenry Papers.
2794From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In the Report of the Secretary of State, and the documents, herewith transmitted, will be found such information as is in our possession, of the losses recovered by the citizens of the United States, under the treaty made with Great Britain, which are now presented to the House of Representatives, in compliannce with their request, in their resolution of the first of this month. DNA : RG...
2795To John Adams from Médéric Louis Élie Moreau de Saint-Méry, 15 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
We dare Recommend to your Goodness, our new Establishment in this city. a man who Seeks So carefully about the happiness of his native country, a man who by his works fixs his pride to Instruct his countrymen, owes perhaps a parcel of Benevolence to one enterprise directed towards human felicity. We are with the utmost respect / Sir / of your Excellency / the very obedient & very humble /...
2796To John Adams from William Eustis, 10 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
Among the first objects of my intention on my arrival in this country was that of paying my respects to you. From causes not under my controul I have been dissappointed, and now I am called to make a melancholy visit to new Hampshire. On my return I hope to be gratified, and am in the mean time with the greatest respect, / your obedient Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
2797From John Adams to United States Senate, 4 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the U.S. yesterday approved & signed a Resolve, which originated in the House of Representatives, authorizing the Secretary of State to procure and transmit to the Govenor of N.C. a number of copies of the Laws of the U.S. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2798From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of the 5th: The Blank Commissions inclosed I return signed. I also return Mr. King’s and Mr. Humphreys Letters. I am anxious to receive the Result of the Conference with Mr. Liston, Gen. Maitland & Colo. Grant and their written propositions— I have the honor to be, Sir / Your very humble Servt. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2799From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the papers inclosed in your favor of the 4th. relative to the consulship at the Havanna and am very well satisfied with the recommendation of Mr John Moreton, whose commission may be prepared for him when you think fit. As I am preparing to attend the funeral of my esteemed relation & beloved Gov Sumner, I have not time at present to advert to any other matters in your late...
2800From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from John Frederick William Stintt as he says a Prussian requesting to be sett at liberty. If you see no impropriety in it, you may write to the commander of the castle to examine into the facts, & if he finds them true, sett the man free. With great regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.