6571To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 12 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
All your favours to the 27 ultimo and particularly that with a disagreeable inclosure came safe to hand, and I should be glad to know the parcells I forward get safe. I have attended regularly to your order, and they go by every post. I have no news to relate to you. Were I to attempt to describe the present dispositions and folly of us Englishmen it would fill pages. The opinion that America...
6572To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive any Slips by the two last Posts. I am particularly obliged to your Excellency for your Favor of the 16th. Instant. The Dutchman Compliment was really polite the Sentiments of certain public Characters relative to the American Independance lead to something Substantial. I find it is the wish of some to see the letters now publishing in the news papers collected in a Pamphlet....
6573From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of the fourth and return You the blank Commissions signed and all the Papers inclosed in yours. As to Major Brooks, I know not how a Man can talk of fighting “French Bloodhounds” who has been capable of saying Since his appointment, “that Things were going very well before the Arrival of the Dispatches of the Envoys: but the publication of those Dispatches had ruined...
6574From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 19 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Letter in which this is inclosed, I received yesterday—open for my Inspection— The Bill of Exchange drawn by Mr. Morris for 144.000 florins, will I hope be some relief to you Our Secretary of State for foreign affairs informs me on the 7 th. of April that twelve of the States had granted the Impost new York only remained to come in— and it is not likely the Legislature of that State will...
6575Abigail Adams to John Adams, 26 January 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tis a Great Grief to me that I know not how to write nor where to send to you. I know not of any conveyance. I risk this by Major R ic e who promisses to take what care he can to get it to you. I have Received 3 Letters from you since you left me, 2 from H artfor d and one from D edha m. Tis a satisfaction to hear tho only by a line. We are told the most dissagreable things by use become less...
6576To John Adams from Pierce Butler, 25 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor on my arrival in this City the 22d. Inst, to receive Your letter, Covering a desire of a Number of Gentlemen of Senate. The great respect I bear these Gentlemen woud induce a prompt compliance with their requisition, if my state of health, and the inclement season woud Admit of my traveling to Philadelphia—I observe by the Public Print’s that there is a Quorum—I can not then be...
6577To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 30 August 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your affectionate Letter of 24th Ultimo, I had the pleasure to receve and would have acknowledged before this, had not the daily interruption of accidental visitants—and likewise an injury I rec’d from a restive Horse; an injury, (which at first I tho’t trivial) has been followed by effects which threatend a speedy abruption of all my worldly schemes & desires. I am still confin’d to the House...
6578Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 25 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I will not fail to inform the Count Vergennes of the letter with which you have honored me. I will also write to Ostend to ask them to send, under my name, two gazettes, the most influential in each party. To my mind they are, for the Opposition, the General Advertiser , published by W. Parker—and for the Ministry, the Morning Post. These are the two that I will request and forward to you...
6579To John Adams from Joseph Frye, 25 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have taken leave to Send you Enclos’d herewith, a brief account of the Several Stations in which I have Serv’d my Country in a Military way—as a history of all occurrences and Personal Sufferings in that Service would have been too tedious for your Patience, I presum’d not to trouble you with it. Therefore Shall say no more here than that, any Notice you Shall please to take of me on your...
6580To John Adams from Nathaniel Wells, 1 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Honble Daniel Davis Esqr has been lately appointed Solicitor General of this State and probably will soon resign his office as District Attorney for the District of Maine as the business of one office will interfere with that of the other—Considering it as of great importance to have able and faithful Attorneys in the several Districts in the United States I take the liberty to recommend...
6581Hendrik Bicker to John Adams: A Translation, 1 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am much chagrined to hear that the visit you made at my suggestion was not more successful. The significant utterances, made in no uncertain terms and often repeated by this House, lead me to believe that you should give up the idea of an alliance before you start the matter at hand. I am not too surprised you did not find there as much confidence in the solidity of your United States as you...
6582From John Adams to Aaron Black, 15 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
On the receipt of your Letter of June 4th. I lost no time I communicating it to your Sister and your Neice. They have written you letters in answers which you will receive with this. Your Brother was my next Neighbour for more than twenty years. We lived in harmony and Friendship. He lived and died esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. His Estate which I understand is encumbered with heavy...
6583From John Adams to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 9 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your respectfull Address, has been presented to be by your Senators in Congress Mr Laurence and Mr North who are also Members of your Society. The interesting and critical Situation of our Country, threatoned as it is by a very powerfull foreign Nation, could not fail to command the Attention of Gentlemen of your Characters and Habits of Life. I am very happy to find that your Opinions...
6584To John Adams from Henry Knox, 4 September 1791 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last Week informing you of the sickness of your steward and his Children. I have now the pleasure to say they are on the recovery. He is much better and the children are in a fair train—Their disorder appears to have been the worm fever, and he participated of the same sort of fever, although evidently mixed with the bilious fever— The sick part of our family consisting of myself...
6585From John Adams to James Asheton Bayard, 10 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 19th March and am much flattered by your kind recollection of me. Your Speech which was inclosed I had read in detached parcels in newspapers more than once.—I have now read all together and at once. I shall not take the time to recollect enough of my Cicero and Quintilian to give a critical dissertation and comparison of the various orations in both houses of...
6586From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your favour of the 16th.—Thank you for your care in writing to Mr Sands, who has furnished me with two thousand dollars for which I gave him duplicate Receipts to Serve for one, according to your desire. Though I rejoice to learn from your Letter that the Sickness in the City is diminishing, I cannot admit your Walk through the Principal Streets of it, to be full proof; because it...
6587From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. is a reviving cordial in which I have languished for a fortnight—But I have to complain, that it is only two days, since I heard since I heard of George’s misfortune. I suppose it has been concealed in tenderness to me, but I wish to hear the worst of bad news from the begining. This tenderness for me has concealed many misfortunes which if they had been communicated to...
6588To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 6 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
This morning I received a letter from the American Consul at Naples. Unfortunately it is without date: the details of facts do however show that it was very lately written: an extract is inclosed.—Last evening I received a letter from the American Consul at Gibraltar dated August 10th, by which it appears that they had no news of the two fleets under Buonaparte & Nelson later than they had...
6589To John Adams from Alexandre-François-Auguste de Grasse-Rouville, comte de, marquis de Tilly Grasse, 24 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Predecessor George Washington Granted to me little While ago after my arrival in this Country a place of Sub Engeneer in this State Which Employment give to me two dollars and an half per Day, I have filled till this Day the duty of this charge With activity as much Zeal, that my Duties Gave me Leave, I received my allowance till october the first, of the Last year but Since, thougt I...
6590To John Adams from James Lovell, 14 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you a Peice of Intelligence perhaps altogether new. The uti possidetis offered by Spain will appear alarming perhaps to some but we are told She acted upon full Knowledge that King George the 3d of England had sworn in his Cabinet that he would not acknowledge our Independence. Spain at least knew that we would never enter into any commercial Treaty without a total relinquishment...
6591John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
I am at last after a great deal of Difficulty, settled in comfortable Quarters, but at an infinite Expence. . . . The Price I pay for my Board is more moderate than any other Gentlemen give, excepting my Colleagues, who are all in the same Quarters, and at the same Rates except Mr. H ancock who keeps an House by himself. The Prices of Things here, are much more intollerable than at Boston. The...
6592From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 16 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of the 2d. was brought to me from the Post office this morning, and I thank you for your Attention to the Reputation of our Country. I have Shewn your Letter to Mr Henry Mr Elsworth and other Members of Congress in 1779 and 1780 and to some others , and there is not one who remembers any Thing like the account which Dr Kippis has given. I will however take other Measures for...
6593Announcement of Changes of Address of John Adams’ Law Office, 22 April 1771 (Adams Papers)
Notifies the Removal of his Office to a Room in Queen-Street, in the House of Mr. John Gill, within a few Steps of the New Court-House, but on the opposite Side of the Street. Reprinted from ( Boston Gazette , 22 April 1771). The transfer of JA ’s law office was probably dictated by the Adams family’s return to Braintree earlier this month. Before becoming Gill’s tenant, JA had apparently...
6594From John Adams to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
David Hinckley Esqr of Boston a Gentleman of ample Fortune & respectable Character is about to travel in France with his amiable Daughter for the benefit of his health and the Gratification of his curiosity and the improvement of their knowledge of the World. Are extremely desirous of paying their respects to their illustrious fellow Citizen one of the Heroes of the American Revolution and...
6595To John Adams from Benjamin Smith, 27 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
In August last I had the honour of lodging in the Post Office at Wilmington, an Address from the Grand Jury of Brunswick County to you, which they entrusted to my care—I therefore feel bound to mention the circumstance, as from answers to others formed long since being returned, I fear it has miscarried—That County Sir, is strongly attached to our Constitution and Government, and I believe...
6596From John Adams to Moses Lloyd Hill, 21 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your first Ancestor in America lies buried in Quincy under a rough North Common Granite. I lament the hard Case of General Sinclair a Gentleman of Letters Taste and Sense, a Soldier and Scientific Officer, but unfortunate; and you know Success secures Fame and Fortune Sometimes when Merit, without it, cannot. “Careat Successibus Opto Quisquis ab eventu, Factu notandu putat” was written in...
6597From John Adams to Thomas Sprigg, 2 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return with pleasure your Congratulations, upon the Unanimity of Spirit among our Fellow Citizens, which in so firm Language expresses their Resolution to preserve inviolate their Independence; and thank you for your generous applause. I thank you your unanimous Resolution to defend the Rights of Freemen or perish in the Conflict, is heroic and glorious. I cannot promise you an...
6598To John Adams from Mr. Sydney, 16 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have ventured to put into the Hands of a Gentleman on his Departure for America a Letter of Introduction to you. I am sensible however, that the warm interest, which I take in the Welfare of Mr Wollaston, has drawn me in some degree to transgress the bounds of discretion. He is the son of a most respectable Clergyman in my Neighbourhood, with whom I have lived in intimacy and friendship the...
6599To John Adams from Thomas Terry Davis, 10 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
By the Treaty of peace between the United States and the Indian Tribes North West of the River Ohio:—The Indians by an article in that Treaty was to give up all the white persons who were then prisoners with them. This article has been illy executed on their part: For they still retain white persons who were taken prisoners by them— I Know of one instance: And have been informed of several—...
6600To John Adams from François Barbé-Marbois, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Je viens de recevoir la Lettre que vous m’aves fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 1. du mois de mars dernier. J’ai appris dans le tems avec le plus grand plaisir la resolution que vous avies prise d’emener Mrs. vos fils avec vous. En suivant l’exemple de leur pere ils ne peuvent manquer de contracter une sincere amitié pour notre nation. Je vous prie de me rappeller au souvenir de notre petit...
6601From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 26 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams has the Honour to acquaint the Right Honourable the Marquis of Caermarthen, that he is just arrived in Town with Credentials from the United States of America, and desires to be informed at what Hour, he may have the Honour of paying his Respects to his Lordship. RC ( British Library, London :Leeds Papers); endorsed: “May. 26. 1785. / M r. Adams.” FC ( Adams Papers ). LbC ( Adams...
6602Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have rejoiced in the fine weather which has attended you through your journey, and the good Roads if you have had them as good as we have. Some cold Days but not enough so, to freeze or prevent our People from accomplishing the plowing at the corn Feilds. the Shelter for the young cattle is compleated & coverd with Sea weed. one Day more will cover the clover with manure, and to Day they...
6603To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 19 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The polite Attention you were pleased to shew me at Paris, and the Civility I received, thro’ your Recommendation, in Holland, having afforded me the highest Satisfaction, will ever be remember’d with the most grateful Respect. I am happy to find by the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty that Peace is fully establish’d between Great Britain and America.— It now remains to improve this...
6604From John Adams to Charles Lee, 21 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday the opinion of yourself the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of the Navy on the Case of the Prisoners under Sentence of death for Treason, formed, as I doubt not under the full Exercise of Integrity and humanity. Nevertheless as I differ in opinion, I must take on myself alone the responsibility of one more appeal to the humane and generous natures of the...
6605From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 15 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your important letter of the 7th. The form of a proclamation—is sufficient I believe for the purpose; and I have signed it, that it may be compleated and published at a proper season without loss of time. I am glad the heads of departments did not form a definitive opinion on the very important question, whether it will be expedient to renew the commerce without a...
6606From John Adams to Henry Colman, 10 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Thanksgiving Fast Sermon which I have repeatedly read, with much pleasure. It is a Model for Sermons on Such Occasions. Phylosophy Morality and Divinity, appear in it, in So much Harmony, that I could almost Subscribe it as a Creed: Yet I would not Subscribe it in Obedience to human Authority, much less would I pass an Act of Uniformity to compel a Nation to Subscribe it....
6607From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 20 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 13 is received. I did approve of Mess rs Pullers paying the Account of M r Baker, the Broker, amounting to £105. 13s: 6d s t. — The Account appeared to me very high. But I could not do any otherwise than Submit it to the Judgment of Mess rs Pullers, who thought it could not be done for less. I have drawn an order, besides, within a few days upon Messieurs Pullers, for Seventy five...
6608Arthur Lee and John Adams to William Lee, 13 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which you did Us the Honour to write Us on the 15 December, We have received. As We have heard nothing further of the Congress in Germany, which you inform Us was talked of, We presume that no such Measure will take Place. However, whether there be a Congress or not, We cannot comply with the Terms of the Gentleman you mention, nor Advise him to take any Steps in the Business. We...
6609To John Adams from William Cunningham, 22 October 1808 (Adams Papers)
Anxious as I am for the due appreciation by the publick of the merits of Mr. J.Q.A. the invaluable testimonial of President Washington, contained in your Letter of the 15. inst. could scarcely have been more gratifying to yourself than it is pleasing to me. I perceive, with much satisfaction, that the most essential parts of it may go into circulation without the least hazard to your repose—to...
6610Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 9 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to send you enclosed a London Evening Post of 6 May, but I must ask you to return it immediately. I will send you a London Courant , containing a detailed account of your reception in Spain. I learn from the gazettes that Captain Paul Jones lodges with you. It would give us great pleasure if you would bring him with you Sunday. That will be a most happy day for me and we will...
6611To John Adams from George Washington Jeffreys, 15 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
A Society has been established at this place for the promotion of agricultural and rural affairs—It consist of the most respectable and intelligent citizens of our county, who convinced of the imperfect state of agriculture among us, are stimulated by the most laudable motives to effect some improvements in it, and not only by examples on their farms, but by every other means which lay in...
6612To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
There is in the Aurora of this city, an uninterrupted stream of slander on the American Government. I inclose the paper of this morning. It is not the first time that the Editor has suggested—that you had asserted the influence of the British Government in the affairs of our own—and insinuated, that it was obtained by bribery. The general readers of the Aurora will believe both.—I shall give...
6613From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 9 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Aug. 28th has been duly received and highly esteemed. I say with you, the Will of eternal Wisdom and Benevolence, be done.— I wish to know, where the Anecdote of Sir William Keith is to be found. I have my doubts whether any History of America would “sell well.” Gordons, Ramsays, Warrens, even Marshalls I believe have not been very lucrative. No Party has been quite satisfied...
6614To John Adams from Rembrandt Peale, 17 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to your Attention; when it must otherwise be much engaged—I shall therefore be explicit. My fondness to my Professional Art is in some degree known to you; perhaps it may be more so, when I declare, that it is my Utmost Ambition to be eminent in it. My Youth and fondness have supported me as yet in an unfavorable Soil; but I am prompted to hope that...
6615To John Adams from Alden Bradford, 3 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
In your letter to me of Octo. last, for which I beg you accept my very respectful acknowledgements, you were pleased to recommend, that a pamphlet, “called an appeal to the world, in vindication of the town of Boston from the aspersions &c of Govr. Bernard & others” printed in the autumn of 1769, should also be inserted in the Vol. which I proposed to publish—And you observed, that it was the...
6616To John Adams from Thomas Boylston, 23 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
The happy moment is now arrived, the strugle is at an end. America is recognizsed free & independent States: I congratulate you on this important period— I feel myself riseing from that state of dejection, w ch always attends uncertain prospects, of great & very interesting events—so far, so well—but all is not completed, tho’ all in a fair way— Its with pleasure I feel myself unshackel’d, &...
6617From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have your favour of March 12 before me. The Choice you exult in, may not be considered as a favour, by the Chosen and by his Father and Mother So much as it is by you. The President, though by no means unfriendly to the chosen or his Friends was, with great Reluctance in duced to this Appointment. The appointment of Lincoln I did not disapprove, because I have known him for forty years, and...
6618From John Adams to Horatio Gates Spafford, 26 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
You have always been too good to me & I regret that I have never been able to make you any returns, your last favor to me is the most gratify in g of all because it shows that your kindness to me is not extinct, In answer to your question you may undoubtedly send any volume to me by mail free of expence, I shall be happy to receive it, though I cannot read it, I may have some of it read to me...
6619To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 27 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I forgot to mention to you today when you did me the honour to call upon me in Grosvenor Square, that it is customary for every Foreign Minister to send the Secretary of State a Copy of the Credential Letters they are directed by their Sovereigns to present to His Majesty or to The Queen. with regard to the superscription I find the credentials of the Ministers from the States General of the...
6620To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have to-day received from Genl. Kosciusko the inclosed letter, accompanied with two packets understood to be from Sir John Sinclair (President of the English Board of Agriculture) and containing, one a diploma for you as a member of the Society—the other some pamphlets of the proceedings of the board. With one of the packets was tied up a letter which I also inclose. The packets I imagine...